To better meet the health needs of an increasingly diverse California population, the nursing workforce should mirror the state’s communities. HealthImpact is committed to increasing diversity in nursing. Providing culturally competent care means recruiting an ethnically diverse nursing workforce and including more men, who are underrepresented in nursing. As care shifts from acute care settings into community-based sites, it is more important than ever that RNs reflect the communities they serve. As members of care teams, nurses can bring a deep understanding of how language, culture, gender, age and socioeconomic status impact health.
Diversity Goals:
• Increase the diversity of the CA RN workforce so that it more closely aligns with the demographics of the communities it serves
• Improve educational access for underrepresented students
• Support academic success of underrepresented students in nursing programs
• Foster retention of newly graduated nurses
• Identify minority nurse leaders who can serve as role models and mentors
• Increase the diversity of California’s nursing faculty
• Deliver media messages to targeted communities promoting nursing as a professional career choice
We work to further the discussion on how best to promote diversity in nursing with a range of stakeholders, including the California Campaign for Men in Nursing.
The California Campaign for Men in Nursing
The campaign promotes participation in the American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) at both national and local levels, and encourages members to launch new AAMN chapters throughout California. It provides career counseling for young men in nursing programs, as well as men considering nursing as a career option. It is a professional network enabling men in nursing to exchange ideas for innovation and provide professional support.
Eleven AAMN chapters have been established in California since 2009. See www.aamn.org for a chapter near you!