Holistic Admissions in Nursing: We Can Do This. 2016

Greer Glazer, and Angela Clark, and Karen Bankston, and Jennifer Danek, and Malika Fair, and Julia Michaels
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

Research shows that holistic admissions review practices can increase diversity across students without decreasing the workforce preparedness and academic success of students. Therefore, many disciplines have readily adopted the widespread use of holistic admissions review. Despite its proven effectiveness in addressing student diversity, nursing has been slow to implement holistic admissions review. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the barriers to implementing holistic admissions review in nursing and the feasibility of adopting holistic admissions review across nursing programs. METHODS A biphasic qualitative research study was conducted with nursing deans from across the United States. Qualitative data collection consisted of two phases of focus group discussions conducted over a 3-month period. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The categories and subcategories identified in Phase 1 informed the discussion in Phase 2. RESULTS One overarching category from Phase 1 was identified, which was the lack of nursing schools' knowledge regarding holistic admissions review. Four subcategories also identified in Phase 1 included the need for better dissemination of evidence, the need for additional support from university leaders and administrators, the need for legal guidance to facilitate implementation of holistic admissions review, and ensuring appropriate resources to support the holistic admissions review process. Three categories emerged in Phase 2, which included everyone's buy-in is required, the need for a model, and a need for training. CONCLUSIONS The adoption of holistic admissions review in nursing may be feasible. However, certain barriers need to be overcome so that nursing schools can successfully take on this process. Therefore, five recommendations have been developed to assist nursing schools in the implementation of holistic admissions review. These recommendations include increasing knowledge and understanding of holistic admissions review among nursing deans; obtaining buy-in and support for holistic admissions review and conducting a self-assessment of current admissions practices; providing nursing administrators, faculty, and staff with diversity training; and conducting further research to identify factors most critical for success in nursing. Although the transition to a holistic admissions process requires some effort, arming ourselves with the appropriate tools will mitigate barriers during implementation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007857 Leadership The function of directing or controlling the actions or attitudes of an individual or group with more or less willing acquiescence of the followers. Influentials
D009718 Nurse Administrators Nurses professionally qualified in administration. Nurse Executives,Nurse Managers,Administrator, Nurse,Administrators, Nurse,Executive, Nurse,Executives, Nurse,Manager, Nurse,Managers, Nurse,Nurse Administrator,Nurse Executive,Nurse Manager
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012570 School Admission Criteria Requirements for the selection of students for admission to academic institutions. Student Selection,Admission Criteria, School,Criteria, School Admission,Selection, Student,Selections, Student,Student Selections
D012579 Schools, Nursing Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of nursing. Nurse Training Schools,Nursing Schools,Schools, Nurse Training,Nurse Training School,Nursing School,School, Nurse Training,Training School, Nurse,Training Schools, Nurse
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D017144 Focus Groups A method of data collection and a QUALITATIVE RESEARCH tool in which a small group of individuals are brought together and allowed to interact in a discussion of their opinions about topics, issues, or questions. Focus Group,Group, Focus,Groups, Focus
D017145 Models, Educational Theoretical models which propose methods of learning or teaching as a basis or adjunct to changes in attitude or behavior. These educational interventions are usually applied in the fields of health and patient education but are not restricted to patient care. Educational Models,Instructional Models,Educational Model,Instructional Model,Model, Educational,Model, Instructional,Models, Instructional
D018864 Cultural Diversity Coexistence of numerous distinct ethnic, racial, religious, or cultural groups within one social unit, organization, or population. (From American Heritage Dictionary, 2d college ed., 1982, p955) Multiculturalism,Pluralism,Cultural Pluralism,Cultural Diversities,Diversities, Cultural,Diversity, Cultural,Multiculturalisms,Pluralism, Cultural,Pluralisms
D036301 Qualitative Research Any type of research that employs nonnumeric information to explore individual or group characteristics, producing findings not arrived at by statistical procedures or other quantitative means. (Qualitative Inquiry: A Dictionary of Terms Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1997) Research, Qualitative

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