TCU Nursing’s Diversity in Nursing Education (D.I.N.E.) Taskforce brings awareness to current issues and finds ways to address and encourage personal and collective growth. This group, made up of nursing faculty and students is ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are part of the nursing education experience, collaborating on various initiatives to help everyone grow and learn together.
“Our goal is to make students more aware of DEI concepts and to help them understand their importance in both academic and professional settings,” Professor Glenda Bowden Daniels, Ph.D., explained. “We want our students to feel included and supported, not just here at TCU, but throughout their careers.”
She shares how she ideated the taskforce, its mission and vision, and what it is currently working on.
Amplifying Inclusivity Skills
Daniels ideated the Taskforce after completing TCU’s R.I.S.E certificate program. R.I.S.E. stands for Responsible for inclusion and Sustaining excellence and it teaches individuals how to be inclusive and excellent at the same time. Participants in the program had to come up with action plans to make things better. Daniels’ plan was to help nursing students understand diversity, equity and inclusion, and to teach them about implicit bias and microaggressions.
One of the first initiatives the Taskforce implemented was adding lessons related to DEI into the nursing curriculum. Daniels set up sessions for students in the “Professional Role” course where students learn the definitions and ideas of DEI, talk about implicit biases and microaggressions, and give students a chance to share their thoughts and experiences.
The Hidden Figures Initiative
The Taskforce also aims to recognize the contributions of nurses from underrepresented groups through its Hidden Figures initiative, highlighting the impact of these “hidden figures.”
This initiative uncovers overlooked contributions of diverse nurses in health care history. Through research and education, it highlights the achievements of nurses from minority backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusion in nursing. By showcasing hidden figures and contemporary role models, DINE aims to inspire future generations to embrace diversity and make their mark in health care.
“These stories are crucial in showing our students the diverse backgrounds and significant contributions of those who have paved the way in nursing,” Daniels said.
A Commitment to Inclusivity
The main goal of the D.I.N.E. Taskforce is to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. By focusing on DEI issues and including these principles into the curriculum, Harris College is pioneering diversity in nursing education.
Daniels hopes that students will leave the program with a better understanding of DEI and a desire to make their professional environments more inclusive.
We want our students to know that they are not alone and that there are resources and support systems in place to help them navigate any challenges they may face,” she emphasized.
Harris College is committed to DEI initiatives, and the D.I.N.E. Taskforce is just one of its efforts in making a health care education more inclusive for everyone.