Diversifying the Workforce Through Focused Support of Nursing Students With Socioeconomic Challenges

Diversifying the nursing workforce entails concerted efforts to recruit and retain students from under-represented racial and socioeconomic groups who are especially vulnerable to barriers hindering academic success. This article describes faculty strategies for retaining and supporting students toward program completion and first-time National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEXRN) passage at a mission-driven school in rural Appalachia where most of the students have socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Independent samples t tests were used to compare academic variables between students who passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt and students who did not. Qualitative data were elicited from interviews and surveys. Data analysis informed policy change and student support services.

An action plan supported under-represented students' success in first-time NCLEX-RN passage with an average rate of 96% for the past decade.

Focused multimodal support can promote the success of students with socioeconomic challenges who will enrich the nursing workforce with the diversity that the profession seeks. [.