Changes in the overall health care environment have prompted nursing staffs, as well as institutions, to take a closer look at diversity and its impact on patient care and hospital operations.
BWH Diversity Mission Statement
“In keeping with our leadership position as a major medical, educational and research institution, Brigham and Women’s Hospital recognizes that the recruitment, retention and promotion of a diverse staff is essential to the hospital’s mission. Diversity is crucial to our commitment to provide culturally competent health care of the highest quality for the diverse communities that we serve. We are dedicated to creating an environment which values, supports and respects difference including, but not limited to, race, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, religion, income and national origin.”
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, nine percent or 207,000 of the 2.24 million registered nurses in the United States come from racially or ethnically diverse backgrounds. This is not reflective of the general population, considering minorities make up 25 percent of the U.S. population. The key to bridging the gap between ethnically diverse caregivers and patients lies in recruiting a diverse workforce.
The following factors need to be considered to achieve a diverse workforce:
• Areas within the hospital that have a low representation of minorities
• Educational programs that address how to provide culturally sensitive care
• Solid relationships with nursing and allied professional schools
• Needs of a culturally diverse workforce
• Nursing profession interest levels in area middle and high schools
• Patient feedback on the diversity of their caregivers
Continual changes in patient demographics is important for nursing professionals to consider when developing short and long-term goals.
(submitted by Sharon Rodriguez, RN, BSN)
Mentorship Program
As part of its commitment to cultivate a diverse nursing staff, BWH is proud of its Minority Mentorship Program. The development of the program over the past five years has allowed potential RN applicants from diverse backgrounds to experience nursing at BWH.
Participants are from various nursing schools throughout Massachusetts and are placed as patient care assistants in clinical areas to work closely with RNs during an eight to nine week period during the summer.
Above, nursing students celebrate the completion of the 2000 program on August 11. Those interested in more information can contact Norma Gerton, RN, assistant nurse manager of Diversity at ext. 7952.