A social determinants framework to promote student success and diversify the public health workforce

Background: Multiple challenges face underrepresented diverse populations from entering the public health nursing workforce. Ultimately, residents of communities are not served well because its healthcare workforce is not responsive to the variety of cultural needs of the population. Consistent with the goal of the Public Health Service Act to improve the diversity of the nursing workforce, a small Midwestern University initiated an education program which utilized a social determinant of health framework in the construction of a comprehensive success program. This project was funded by a HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity grant with the purpose to increase the number of students from underrepresented populations who are admitted to the BSN major, graduate and successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Methods: Data for this analysis came from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who were enrolled in an education program to assist in retention and graduation. Data from years 1-3 were analyzed using T-tests, ANOVAs, and correlational analysis. Results: Data indicate that program participants (n=83) are retained at rates higher than non program participants (70.4% versus 61.3%). Ten out of 11 participants passed the NCLEX on their first attempt (n=11). In addition, sense of belonging scores of all participants improved significantly. Students who were not retained had connectedness scores that were less than students who were retained. Project completion is June 1st, 2013 with final results to be presented on the conference date. Conclusions: Findings suggest that interventions tailored to social determinants increased student nurse retention rates.