Bridging the diversity gap: Leveraging social determinants of learning to support nursing student success

Despite decades of initiatives to increase nursing workforce diversity, gaps persist between patient population and nursing workforce demographics.

Emphasis on NCLEX pass rates as a program quality indicator, combined with systemic barriers, creates complex challenges that influence admission and progression policies in nursing education. Evidence suggests these factors disproportionately affect underrepresented minority (URM) students, impacting both academic success and workforce diversity.

Drawing from healthcare's successful transformation in addressing social determinants of health, this article provides evidence-based interventions for addressing Social Determinants of Learning (SDOL) to support URM student success and improve nursing workforce diversity. These adaptable interventions can be implemented selectively based on program resources and include comprehensive strategies for creating inclusive cultures, addressing basic needs, enhancing student self-determination, fostering a growth mindset, and developing critical thinking skills.

Nursing programs can leverage SDOL interventions to create supportive environments that enhance success for all students, particularly URM students. By shifting focus from individual deficits to systemic barriers, implementation of these interventions supports maintenance of academic standards while advancing the goal of helping URM students achieve success in nursing education and practice.