A remotely accessible plant-based culinary intervention for Latina/o/x adults at risk for diabetes: lessons learned.

Introduction: Little research has examined how community-engaged and -participatory dietary interventions adapted to remotely-accessible settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To identify lessons learned in design, implementation, and evaluation of a remotely-accessible, community-based, nurse-led approach of a culturally-tailored whole food plant-based culinary intervention for Latina/o/x adults to reduce type 2 diabetes risk, delivered during a pandemic. Methods: A mixed methods quasi-experimental design consisting of a pre-post evaluation comprised of questionnaires, culinary classes, biometrics, and focus groups. Lessons learned: Community partnerships are essential for successful recruitment/retention. To optimally deliver a remotely-accessible intervention, community leadership and study volunteers should be included in every decision (e.g., timeframes, goals). Recommendations include managing recruitment and supply chain disruption of intervention supplies. Conclusion: Future research should focus on increasing accessibility and engagement in minoritized and/or underserved communities, supply chain including quality assurance and delivery of services/goods, study design for sustainable, remotely-accessible interventions, and health promotion.

Nursing science as a federally-recognized STEM degree: A call to action for the United States with global implications.

Nursing science contributes to advancements in patient care, public health, and innovation within numerous scientific domains. Despite commonality with United States Department of Education definitions of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational programs, nursing continues to be excluded from Department of Homeland Security STEM classification. This exclusion prevents societal recognition of nursing as a science and limits attraction of clinicians and nurse scientists born outside of the United States due to omission from various federal visa provisions the Department of Homeland Security classification provides. We evaluated existing Department of Homeland Security STEM-classified educational programs and identified methodological and content congruency among STEM-classified programs and nursing. We provide clear evidence that nursing contributes impactful STEM research; and argue that inclusion is critical for advancement of the profession and the potential to mitigate the faculty shortage. Beyond evaluation of nursing as a STEM field, we offer a policy-focused solution for development and diversification of the nursing workforce.