Creating and sustaining a diverse student community in a school of nursing

In response to national and state mandates to increase diversity in the nursing workforce, a small, liberal arts college in Oregon implemented a comprehensive program to recruit and retain students underrepresented in nursing, especially Hispanics. The goals of Ayudando Podemos were to increase enrollment of underrepresented and disadvantaged students, improve student retention and graduation rates, increase student participation in a mentorship program, improve cultural competence in the campus community, and increase the number of graduates working in medically underserved or health professional shortage areas (HPSAs). The program had four parts: institutional catalysts and commitment, relationship building and student connection, individualized academic coaching, and financial aid and scholarship coaching. Sixty-nine prenursing and nursing students participated over 6 years. The retention rate was 96.2%.