New Entry in NLN's Reflection & Dialogue Series Calls on the Nursing Education Community to Institutionalize a Commitment to Diversity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY — January 27, 2009 — In "A Commitment to Diversity in Nursing and Nursing Education," the National League for Nursing charges the nursing education community to establish a workforce of faculty, researchers, and scholars that illustrates a definition of diversity beyond mere tolerance of differences to one of celebration.

The continuing series, available at www.nln.org/aboutnln/reflection_dialogue/index.htm, reflects the input of members of the NLNs Board of Governors and offers an opportunity for discussion of important issues with the nursing education community.

"As the voice for nursing education," said CEO Dr. Beverly Malone, "it is vital for the NLN to help faculty serve as mentors and role models for future nurses and nurse educators from many backgrounds. Adds NLN president Dr. Elaine Tagliareni, "Working toward an inclusive environment and increasing diversity in all types of nursing programs are consistent with the mission and values of the National League for Nursing and countless schools of nursing."

While acknowledging the challenge inherent in institutionalizing a commitment to diversity, the Reflection and Dialogue points out that there are powerful examples nationally of how faculty have created innovative models to build more inclusive environments within programs of learning. These address issues of justice and diversity in a world that is increasingly without borders (Bosher & Bowles, 2008; Bull & Miller, 2008; Slade, Thomas-Connor, & Tsao, 2008).

"A Commitment to Diversity in Nursing and Nursing Education" incorporates relevant statistics, warns of the subtle inconsistencies that influence policies, practices, decision making, curriculum design, clinical experience, and the recruitment/retention of faculty and students, and offers several recommendations.

In conclusion, the NLN call to action counsels, "It will take all nurses, working together as colleagues, to create safe, diverse environments of healing….But transform through progressive change we must if we are to continue to prepare nurse leaders, faculty, and practitioners who can meet the demands of the diverse populations who expect us to care for them with sensitivity and cultural competence."

The full text of "A Commitment to Diversity in Nursing and Nursing Education" is available at www.nln.org/aboutnln/reflection_dialogue/
refl_dial_3.htm. For more information and interview opportunities please contact NLN chief communications officer, Karen R. Klestzick, at 212-812-0376, kklestzick@nln.org.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education, offering faculty development, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 28,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.