Strategies for Teaching Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Principles of Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Equity
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Nursing programs require innovative teaching methods to foster student reflection on values and the application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in patient care.
• Integrating DEI principles is crucial for providing individualized and equitable nursing services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate teaching strategies for DEI content in prelicensure baccalaureate nursing education.
• To assess first-semester nursing students' perceptions of DEI-focused teaching methods.

Main Methods:

• Students engaged in self-reflection via discussion boards, written assignments, and simulation experiences.
• Guided questions facilitated exploration of DEI topics and personal value systems.
• Anonymous surveys captured student perceptions of the activities' impact on their nursing practice.

Main Results:

• Content analysis of survey responses revealed increased student awareness, sensitivity, knowledge, and competence in DEI.
• Integration of DEI concepts into the Principles of Nursing course syllabus was associated with enhanced holistic care perceptions.
• Word clouds and content analysis confirmed the positive impact of the developed teaching strategies.

Conclusions:

• Modifying existing nursing curricula to incorporate DEI concepts effectively enhances student understanding and application.
• Reflective and simulation-based strategies are valuable for promoting DEI awareness and competence in nursing students.
• The study provides a framework for integrating DEI into nursing education to improve equitable patient care.