Using holistic admissions in pre-licensure programs to diversify the nursing workforce

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Admissions
• Public Health

Background:

• Healthcare demands are evolving due to changing demographics and complex care needs.
• Nursing programs are increasingly adopting holistic admissions to enhance inclusivity.
• Existing holistic admission models from other health disciplines are being adapted for nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the background and implementation of holistic admissions for prelicensure nursing students at a State University.
• To detail the process of gaining statewide and local stakeholder approval for changes in freshman admission procedures.
• To describe the integration of aptitude, characteristics, and experiences with academic metrics in applicant appraisal.

Main Methods:

• Review of the background and rationale for holistic admissions in nursing.
• Description of a State University's implementation of holistic admissions for high school entry applicants.
• Analysis of the stakeholder consultation and approval process for revised admission procedures.

Main Results:

• A State University successfully adapted its holistic admissions process from a second baccalaureate entry program to high school entry applicants.
• Gaining statewide academic and local stakeholder approval was a complex but achievable process.
• The new holistic appraisal includes academic metrics alongside aptitude, characteristics, and experiences.

Conclusions:

• Implementing holistic admissions is crucial for creating a more inclusive learning environment in nursing schools.
• Multifaceted changes at university and state levels are necessary to achieve a diverse nursing student population.
• Creative holistic admissions processes can better align the future nursing workforce with the diverse communities they serve.