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Despite the and a targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), nursing and other health professions students continue to support diverse and inclusive education environments.

To learn more about the role of DEI initiatives in higher education, conducted a among 1,000 students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs. About half of health and nursing student respondents (52%) said if their college were to abolish DEI initiatives, they would consider transferring. This finding is similar to the survey's responses from all students, 55% of whom would consider transferring if their college were to discontinue DEI activities.

In the same survey, nearly half of nursing and health students (47%) said that if a college they were considering abolished DEI initiatives, it would impact their decision to enroll.

What Are DEI Initiatives?

DEI initiatives are intentional strategies that strive to enhance diversity in schools and the workforce. In nursing, these strategies include having a and improving representation by recruiting underrepresented students into nursing..DEI initiatives are important, proponents say, not just in higher education but in the healthcare system, where . Research shows that , with health outcomes improving for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups when they interact with a similarly diverse pool of healthcare professionals.

DEI initiatives also focus on , which, according to studies, is an ongoing challenge. In 2022, the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing surveyed more than 5,600 nurses. Nearly reported that they experienced an act of racism.

The Supreme Court, Affirmative Action, DEI, and Nursing School

During the summer of 2023, that race-conscious admissions practices — for example, affirmative action — are unconstitutional.

In the wake of the decision, some statehouses pulled back funding for DEI programs, particularly targeting state colleges and universities. The University of Texas System paused any new DEI efforts on their campuses, while Texas A&M University in their hiring applications.

proposed a ban on funding for DEI programs at colleges and universities. The bill calls for the removal of programs that include critical race theory, race studies, queer studies, and radical feminist theory.

The Supreme Court's decision may continue to affect the future of DEI initiatives in nursing schools, some of which are already struggling to recruit a diverse student body.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) latest shows an increase in minority students enrolled in and graduated from baccalaureate nursing programs since 2018.

However, despite great efforts to increase the representation of nurses of color, continues to be an issue.

DEI Initiatives: Signs of Progress in Nursing School

Prospective nursing students should be pleased to know nursing schools are continuing to invest in creating an environment where students can grow in diverse settings and .

In an attempt to highlight racism in nursing, the AACN and other leading nursing organizations have released a series of to bring awareness to it.

Further, the AACN selected 50 nursing schools to help identify the .

The AACN also created a survey inviting schools to participate in collecting specific data. Data includes:

• Fair treatment and observations of discrimination
• Belongingness
• Value of diversity and inclusion
• Campus services
• Clinical training

In addition, Johnson & Johnson created to support nursing students of color. The first program focuses on nursing leadership. The second is a survey by AACN targeting nursing students to measure their sense of belonging in the classroom.

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