An Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Approach to Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Social Justice in Education
• Student Support Services

Background:

• Diverse nursing students possess unique learning needs.
• A social justice framework is essential for promoting student success in nursing programs.
• The Student Success Plan (SSP) is an equity-centered, trauma-informed intervention designed for nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Student Success Plan (SSP) in nursing education.
• To assess the impact of the SSP on diverse nursing student populations.
• To determine if the SSP improves key academic and professional outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of six nursing cohorts (Fall 2021–Spring 2024).
• Examined retention rates, examination scores, and first-time NCLEX pass rates for students utilizing the SSP.
• Identified patterns among students who received SSP support.

Main Results:

• Students receiving the SSP achieved a 93% retention rate.
• The NCLEX first-time pass rate for SSP students was 95%.
• Identified patterns included first-semester exams, life events, and academic struggles among SSP recipients.

Conclusions:

• The SSP is a successful trauma-informed, equity-centered approach for supporting diverse nursing students.
• The holistic SSP fosters a sense of belonging and improves academic outcomes.
• The program demonstrably enhances examination scores, student retention, and NCLEX pass rates.