Transitioning to holistic review for admissions in a baccalaureate nursing program: One school's journey

Healthcare workforce diversity is foundational for the reduction of health disparities, improvement of population health outcomes and the enhancement of patient satisfaction. To increase workforce diversity, health professional programs must be more inclusive during the admission process. Considering demographic trends and the changing landscape of healthcare, it is in the best interests of all institutions that develop students for healthcare roles to actively seek out qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. Many colleges and universities have employed a holistic admission process to assemble a diverse class of students with the background, qualities, and skills needed for success in the profession. By engaging with students from diverse backgrounds, individuals learn how to think critically about the needs of all sectors of the community. This article discusses how one regional campus developed, implemented, and evaluated a holistic admissions process for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in pursuit of a tool to work toward that aim.