The Academic Coach: A Program for Nursing Student Success.

BACKGROUND: According to the U.S. Census, 63.7% of the population is Caucasian, whereas 36.3% are minorities. In the United States, 33.1% of RNs are considered ethnic minorities whereas in Nebraska only 6.3% of RNs are minorities. Specific measures are needed to prepare a more diverse nursing workforce. The use of specific supportive methods directed toward educationally disadvantaged and minority nursing students may improve retention. METHOD: The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing-implemented the Health Resources and Services Administration funded Generation Link to Learn (LTL) to help educationally disadvantaged students to be successful in a baccalaureate nursing degree (BSN) program of study. RESULTS: Students in the LTL program were successful in the BSN program, with 88% (24 of 27) of students graduating. CONCLUSION: Multiple supports, including robust academic coaching and scholarships, are effective strategies to help educationally disadvantaged nursing students. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(11):661-664.].

Escape Room Recruitment Event: Description and Lessons Learned.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. nursing workforce is facing a severe shortage of professionals due to an anticipated retirement of more than 500,000 RNs in the next 5 years. METHOD: An Escape to Nursing event was created and delivered in a rural medical center college of nursing in the spring of 2017. This faculty team developed four distinct rooms that were designed with key nursing concepts and patient health conditions. Recruits worked in teams to solve the patient health care puzzle, which then enabled them to proceed to the next room. RESULTS: Feedback was positive from the recruits, including comments about expanding the game to more health care scenarios and reaching out to more recruits. Additional recruitment may lead to better turnout of recruits. CONCLUSION: Linear, sequential formatting for the escape room game design is recommended for use with recruits into nursing. The use of escape rooms for recruitment is a positive activity. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(3):184-187.].