Frontier Nursing University Named 1 of 50 Nursing Schools for National DEI Initiative

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is one of 50 U.S. nursing schools chosen by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to participate in the Building a Culture of Belonging in Academic Nursing initiative designed to foster inclusive learning environments and build a more diverse nursing workforce.

AACN launched the initiative to help nursing schools create environments where students, faculty, and staff possess a strong sense of belonging and are encouraged to thrive.

“Creating a learning culture where all individuals can develop and do their best work is critical to achieving academic nursing’s goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” says Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President, and Chief Executive Officer. “AACN is pleased to join with 50 member schools to pilot test a new tool that will help to evolve how nurse educators approach teaching, learning, and professional engagement.”

To support this project, AACN developed a digital platform to administer its Leading Across Multidimensional Perspectives (LAMP®) Culture and Climate Survey.

Using data from LAMP, AACN will provide institution-level assessments and action reports to participating schools about developing inclusive academic environments. This tool gives administrators a better understanding of how their campus climate influences student experiences and achievement. In addition, with assessment data from internal stakeholders, educators are equipped with valuable information needed to initiate change, target growth areas, and, most importantly, improve student outcomes.

DEI in Healthcare Key Component Since 2010

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been an intentional component of Frontier Nursing University’s goals, initiatives, and planning since 2010, when the university launched PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education). Now known as the Diversity Impact Program, PRIDE was specifically intended to raise the level of diversity in student enrollment.

Frontier Nursing University DEI Initiative

“We are honored to have been selected to participate in this important initiative,” says FNU Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. “We hope that the assessment data collected from students, faculty, and staff will give us valuable information that will guide us to initiate changes, identify target areas for growth, and most importantly, help us to improve student outcomes.”

Schools selected to participate in this pilot study are geographically diverse and represent various institutional types – public and private institutions, small and large schools, rural and urban-serving programs, etc.

Pilot testing of the LAMP survey will be completed in spring 2023. AACN will disseminate aggregate findings to all schools of nursing next year.

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Renee Hewitt

Editor & Content Strategist at Springer Publishing

Renee is the editor and content strategist for Daily Nurse. When enjoying life unplugged from the digital world, you'll find Renee on a trail taking wildlife photos or birdwatching.