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Abstract

The United States nursing workforce faces a health care challenge for providing culturally competent care to the growing number of racial and ethnic minority groups. According to Gertner et al (2010), cultural competency in health care is defined as providing care to patients with diverse backgrounds to meet the social, cultural and linguistic needs. Research has shown that patients receive a higher level of culturally competent care from nurses who are from their own cultural background. Administrators and faculty working in Schools of Nursing must recognize this important fact and take action to ensure the admissions, progression, and graduation of minority students meet the needs of the population demographics of the community, resulting in better promotion of cultural competency in the healthcare system. Diverse students have different learning needs and barriers; therefore, policies and support services must be in place for these individuals to progress and graduate. Key strategies, according to our research, will be discussed regarding how faculty and administrators can best support the needs for diverse students to ensure progression and graduation in an online RN-BSN program.

Author's Biographies

Amanda Hawkins MSN, RN is an Associate Professor of Nursing and coordinates the RN-BSN program at Columbus State University. She holds an Associate Degree from Columbus State University, Bachelor’s Degree from George Mason University, and a Master’s degree from Troy State University. She has practiced nursing in a variety of settings with over 35 years of nursing experience.

Elizabeth Frander, DNP, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE is an Associate Professor at Columbus State University. She has been a registered nurse for over 30 years and a Nurse Practitioner for over 12 years. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Columbus State University, a Masters degree from Troy State University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Medical College of Georgia. Her research interests include best practices in online nursing education, the use of technology in nursing education, and community health.

Melissa Young, M.Ed. is an Academic Advisor for the RN-BSN and Graduate Nursing programs at Columbus State University. She holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She is currently enrolled as a doctoral candidate at Columbus State University. She has worked in higher education as a program coordinator, advisor and adjunct instructor for over 12 years. Her research interests include best practices in academic advising, instructional technology in online programs, retaining first generation college students and the impact of socioeconomic background on student success.

Kaylen Deal, BSEd is an Academic Advisor for the RN-BSN program at Columbus State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Troy University. She is currently enrolled as a masters student at Columbus State University. She has worked in higher education as an academic advisor for 3 years. Her research interests include best practices in academic advising, instructional technology in online programs, the role of academic advising in student retention, and advising distance learners as well as nontraditional students.

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