Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership

Abstract Background A looming nursing shortage is anticipated by 2025 due to 30% of faculty retirement and the global shortage of 13 million nurses by 2030. Addressing this crisis requires innovative strategies that prioritize diversity and address health inequities. This study aimed to develop and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lakeshia Cousin, Courtney Bowen, Linda Behar-Horenstein, Debra Lyon, Kimberly Martinez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03011-1
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850184462872084480
author Lakeshia Cousin
Courtney Bowen
Linda Behar-Horenstein
Debra Lyon
Kimberly Martinez
author_facet Lakeshia Cousin
Courtney Bowen
Linda Behar-Horenstein
Debra Lyon
Kimberly Martinez
author_sort Lakeshia Cousin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background A looming nursing shortage is anticipated by 2025 due to 30% of faculty retirement and the global shortage of 13 million nurses by 2030. Addressing this crisis requires innovative strategies that prioritize diversity and address health inequities. This study aimed to develop and assess the pilot implementation of a community-engaged program targeting underrepresented high school students in a southeastern state. Methods Evaluation of a nurse development and retention for underrepresented (URM) high school students. Workshop attendance rates were recorded. Program acceptability was measured using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-3 (CSQ-3). Changes in participants’ intention to apply to nursing programs were assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Registered nurses provided mentoring and offered educational workshops and presentations on nursing career pathways. Findings Twenty-one African American students from an underserved high school participated. Attendance rates were high, with 81% attending all workshops. Mean CSQ-3 scores demonstrated high program satisfaction (mean = 11). There was a significant increase in GSE scores from 30.81 to 32.57 (p = 0.017), indicating improved self-efficacy to pursue nursing careers. Conclusions The study demonstrates that a community-engaged nurse development program was effective as potential approach to address the nursing shortage among URMs and promoting workforce diversity. Mentorship-driven initiatives have the potential to inspire and empower URMs to pursue nursing careers. Further research is necessary to evaluate the program’s long-term impact on workforce development and its scalability to other communities, contributing to the evidence base for community-centered approaches to address the global nursing workforce crisis and advance health equity.
format Article
id doaj-art-1cca9f090a8a4e93a7a5c9f42e88c253
institution OA Journals
issn 1472-6955
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Nursing
spelling doaj-art-1cca9f090a8a4e93a7a5c9f42e88c2532025-08-20T02:17:01ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-04-012411810.1186/s12912-025-03011-1Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnershipLakeshia Cousin0Courtney Bowen1Linda Behar-Horenstein2Debra Lyon3Kimberly Martinez4College of Nursing, University of FloridaUniversity of Florida Health Shands HospitalCollege of Nursing, University of FloridaCollege of Nursing, University of FloridaUniversity of Florida Health Shands HospitalAbstract Background A looming nursing shortage is anticipated by 2025 due to 30% of faculty retirement and the global shortage of 13 million nurses by 2030. Addressing this crisis requires innovative strategies that prioritize diversity and address health inequities. This study aimed to develop and assess the pilot implementation of a community-engaged program targeting underrepresented high school students in a southeastern state. Methods Evaluation of a nurse development and retention for underrepresented (URM) high school students. Workshop attendance rates were recorded. Program acceptability was measured using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-3 (CSQ-3). Changes in participants’ intention to apply to nursing programs were assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Registered nurses provided mentoring and offered educational workshops and presentations on nursing career pathways. Findings Twenty-one African American students from an underserved high school participated. Attendance rates were high, with 81% attending all workshops. Mean CSQ-3 scores demonstrated high program satisfaction (mean = 11). There was a significant increase in GSE scores from 30.81 to 32.57 (p = 0.017), indicating improved self-efficacy to pursue nursing careers. Conclusions The study demonstrates that a community-engaged nurse development program was effective as potential approach to address the nursing shortage among URMs and promoting workforce diversity. Mentorship-driven initiatives have the potential to inspire and empower URMs to pursue nursing careers. Further research is necessary to evaluate the program’s long-term impact on workforce development and its scalability to other communities, contributing to the evidence base for community-centered approaches to address the global nursing workforce crisis and advance health equity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03011-1NursingWorkforce developmentNursing shortageHealth equityDiversityMentorship
spellingShingle Lakeshia Cousin
Courtney Bowen
Linda Behar-Horenstein
Debra Lyon
Kimberly Martinez
Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
BMC Nursing
Nursing
Workforce development
Nursing shortage
Health equity
Diversity
Mentorship
title Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
title_full Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
title_fullStr Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
title_full_unstemmed Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
title_short Pathways to nurse development and retention: development of an academic/community-engaged partnership
title_sort pathways to nurse development and retention development of an academic community engaged partnership
topic Nursing
Workforce development
Nursing shortage
Health equity
Diversity
Mentorship
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03011-1
work_keys_str_mv AT lakeshiacousin pathwaystonursedevelopmentandretentiondevelopmentofanacademiccommunityengagedpartnership
AT courtneybowen pathwaystonursedevelopmentandretentiondevelopmentofanacademiccommunityengagedpartnership
AT lindabeharhorenstein pathwaystonursedevelopmentandretentiondevelopmentofanacademiccommunityengagedpartnership
AT debralyon pathwaystonursedevelopmentandretentiondevelopmentofanacademiccommunityengagedpartnership
AT kimberlymartinez pathwaystonursedevelopmentandretentiondevelopmentofanacademiccommunityengagedpartnership