Though inspiring, the enthusiasm shown by new students in a prelicensure nursing program is often tempered by the realization that a number of them will not achieve academic success during their first semester, let alone achieve program completion. Nursing students in an urban setting, many of whom may lack the same level of academic preparation as their classmates, can feel added pressure to graduate from college in order to achieve a measure of personal or familial economic and social mobility. As evidenced by stubbornly high attrition rates, achieving success in nursing school may prove challenging for minorities, men, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP; Christensen & Knight, 2014; Olson, 2012).
Academic failure often stems from variances in social capital (Stanton-Salazar, 2011) and levels of academic preparation, both of which can result in feelings of isolation and a reluctance to seek assistance from instructors, the majority of whom are Caucasian, female, and native English speakers. Despite recommendations from faculty to cultivate effective study habits and seek assistance early, many students are aware of their academic needs but hesitate to ask for help (Tabi, Thornton, Garno, & Rushing, 2013).
Comparably matched peers and mentors are essential sources of support for students (Payton, Howe, Timmons, & Richardson, 2013). Opportunities to network with other similar, more established students or graduates already in practice are rare but nonetheless vital in providing valuable "insider" information on instructors, courses, clinical sites, and associated strategies for success (Dapremont, 2014). Many urban-based schools, however, have a distinctive commuter student focus and lack the sociocultural infrastructure to assist students with developing an effective support system.
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Recognizing these potential shortcomings, student leadership from the Multicultural Association of Nursing Students (MANS) acknowledged how early intervention through peer support can be helpful to their colleagues and developed a new way of welcoming new nursing students in the most inclusive manner possible. The resulting strategy promotes networking and student integration. MANS, a local organization, has defined a key element of its mission as promoting the success of diverse groups of students, operationalized through meaningful social events to encourage and empower students and student leaders. The group developed a logo with a tree and the motto "Excellence and Success in Learning."
MANS leaders planned a series of "red carpet" social events that have been equally supportive, informative, and enjoyable. An 8-foot red carpet runner quickly became a literal and metaphorical symbol of the uniqueness of each student and faculty and a tangible representation of diversity and inclusion. Strategically scheduled at the beginning and end of each semester, the events feature information, food, and door prizes and are attended by students, faculty, staff, advisors, and administration. Carefully planned multimedia marketing campaigns advertise the events through social media, email, and the university's daily electronic newsletter.
MANS EVENTS
On event day, MANS leaders and school of nursing faculty flank the red carpet to greet each student and then direct students to celebrate their individuality by having their photo taken against a movie screen background. With the students' permission, the photos are featured on the university's student organization website. On their own, a number of students proudly don dress appropriate to their culture and bring in contemporary music in their native language. As music and laughter fill the air, faculty, staff, and advisors seize the opportunity to speak with students and answer questions they may be otherwise reluctant to express in the formal academic setting.
To facilitate introductions and follow-up conversations, officers designed a "networking card" with the group logo on one side and space for one's name, contact information, and description on the other (e.g., one's academic program). The card offers a means to jumpstart networking and help strengthen the peer support system. Acknowledging that many students may be reluctant to engage in networking and disinclined to reach out, students are offered the option to submit their completed networking cards to MANS student leaders or a faculty advisor, who in turn facilitate introductions by email at a later date.
In acknowledgement of the scarcity of minority, male, and LEP faculty members, a diverse group of alumni and other guests from the community at large are also invited to discuss common challenges and effective scaffolding strategies. The atmosphere at events is nothing less than buoyantly optimistic as faculty, staff, students, and guests, many of whom share dissimilar characteristics, find common ground, thanks to the equalizing and transporting nature of the red carpet.
OUTCOME
On average, 60 attendees, or one third of the student body, participate in each event; 50 of those are from the new incoming student cohort, while the remainder are established students who attend to encourage their newly arrived colleagues. In all, over 125 students, approximately one third the size of the student body, completed networking cards during the events. MANS student leaders and faculty advisors pore over the completed cards to match students with a peer or mentor who may be able to provide supportive encouragement. Students are advised by email to meet their "match" as soon as possible or request an alternate match if they feel the least bit uncomfortable.
Students overall provide an enthusiastic endorsement to the red carpet events and urge MANS leadership to continue hosting similar events during the next academic year. In accordance with an increase in event attendance, MANS organizational membership has grown from 12 to 110. Although it remains to be seen if a positive impact on attrition rates will be experienced, the excitement evident both during and after these events appears to lay the foundation for future success.
CALL FOR ACTION
Answering the call to graduate more diverse student bodies who will pass the NCLEX-RN(R) and successfully enter practice is no longer a choice; it is a social imperative to serve the public at large in the most effective and culturally competent manner possible (Loftin, Newman, Gilden, Bond, & Dumas, 2013; Melillo, Dowling, Abdallah, Findeisen, & Knight, 2013). By providing all nursing students, but especially minority, male, and LEP students, the opportunity to network and construct the strongest peer support system possible, MANS is not only fulfilling its mission as a student organization but also helping to address the call for a more diverse nursing workforce that can work together to decrease health disparities.
Based on the success of these red carpet events, MANS officers have been encouraged to continue these events in the future as a means to promote awareness of the social and academic needs of diverse student groups. By doing so, both students and faculty can work together to establish the most affirming learning environment possible.
REFERENCES