Enhancing Diversity and Equality in Healthcare

LCON projects driving change for nurses and for those they serve

Education should not be one-size-fits-all as each student is unique and requires support programs that adapt to their needs. When Dr. Jeremy Whittaker became Associate Dean for Student Success and Inclusion at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), his vision and professional commitment to addressing the health disparities that economically disadvantaged groups face seem to have presented the ideal intersection between what he describes as preparation and purpose. "Preparing the primary care workforce and reducing health disparities locally and globally is a mission driven trait engraved in the culture of LCON," states Whittaker. In doing this, he took notice and appreciated the commitment and diligent efforts of previous administrative leadership to providing student nurses with an effective and efficient support system to ensure advancement and retention.

The power of community has been a driving force in the partnership between the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and The Loewenberg College of Nursing. HRSA serves to improve access to health care services. The overall mission of HRSA is "to improve health outcomes and achieve health equity through access to quality services, a skilled health workforce, and innovative, high-value programs." HRSA aligns with Loewenberg College of Nursing, the University of Memphis (UofM), and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN's) core values of advancing diversity and inclusion to improve the quality of nursing education.

In 2020, HRSA awarded a $3.24 million, five-year grant for LCON's project “Supporting the Retention of Next Generation Registered Nurses (STRONG RNs).” The program provides financial support of up to $9,000 per semester to eligible nursing students. Ultimately, the STRONG RNs program increases recruitment and improves retention rates of economically and environmentally disadvantaged nursing students while empowering nursing graduates to serve medically underserved communities. HRSA also awarded a two-year grant of $972,435 to the project Rural Nurses Leading Eldercare Advancement through Diversity (RNs LEAD) program. This program provides financial support of up to $8,000 per semester for BSN students and $5,200 per semester for RN-BSN students. RNs LEAD is designed to address the lack of diversity in the nursing workforce, evidence-based barriers to matriculation encountered by disadvantaged nursing students, and limited basic training for nurses in the care of older adults in rural areas. This program also provides academic and social support and geriatric clinical immersion experiences.

Since the inception of the HRSA partnership, both LCON grants have garnered much success regarding student impact; as program participants and aid recipients have yielded increased retention, completion, and post-graduation placement rates above 90 percent. Whittaker remains committed to the success of all LCON students and takes passion in providing each student with the unique support they need to be successful. He emphasized that the strategic intention of the STRONG RN support programming is to develop the "whole" student through active participation in leadership and professional development, creating action plans that progress toward their personal and professional goals, and fostering awareness of their identity as a leader to demonstrate the resiliency necessary for the program completion. "We look forward to expanding the STRONG RN recipient wraparound support services this academic year through continued partnerships with the University of Memphis Student Success and Trio Programs and several other community-based organizations," stated Whittaker. Each program model will not only help student nurses be successful but help each student understand how their contributions to the nursing and interprofessional discipline will impact our communities. Thanks to the partnership and support of HRSA, LCON can continue to educate nursing leaders across the healthcare continuum.

For more on these projects and their impact, contact Whitaker at j.whittaker@memphis.edu.