A program to enhance recruitment and retention of disadvantaged and ethnically diverse baccalaureate nursing students.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate the use of a "Success in Learning: Individualized Pathways Program (SLIPP)" to retain and graduate disadvantaged and ethnically diverse nursing students. DESIGN: A summative evaluative design was used with a population of 77 disadvantaged and ethnically diverse students who were accepted into a pre-entrance preparation quarter. The program based on an academic success model, included six pre-entrance classes, academic, social, and financial support, and seven faculty development workshops. Program outcomes were studied using student records, survey results, and interviews. RESULTS: Following the pre-entrance quarter, all 77 students were accepted into the baccalaureate nursing program, 90.9% graduated with either a Bachelor in Science (75.3%) or Associate in Science (15.6%), and 98.6% of the graduates passed the state board registered nursing examination. DISCUSSION: Outcomes are discussed in light of similar programs. CONCLUSIONS: Underprepared disadvantaged and ethnically diverse students can successfully become registered nurses. IMPLICATIONS: Educators and recruiters for nursing practice should accept/hire culturally diverse students/nurses to expand the ethnic diversity of the nursing workforce to meet the needs of culturally diverse clients. Research is needed to determine the classes/components and length of the pre-entrance preparation program to successfully enhance success.

A glimpse into the lives of 3 children: their cancer journey.

Three stories of children with advanced cancer are presented in this article. The goal was to ascertain what these children were experiencing and thinking as well as what interventions were helpful. Interviews used open-ended questions as well as the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, Symptom Management Record, the Body Outline, Child Depression Inventory, Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Common Toxicity Criteria, Lansky's Play Performance Scale, and Spirituality quality of life (QOL) and provided an opportunity for the children to describe their symptoms and QOL. The findings illustrated that the child's social, psychological, and spiritual concerns are important for nurses to address along with the child's physical needs.