Nurturing educational multiculturalism in psychosocial nursing: Creating new possibilities through inclusive conversations

The increasingly diverse populations served by nurse practitioners require the preparation of graduate students with special emphasis on diversity issues that affect the mental and physical health of the underserved and populations of color. Although initiatives to recruit and retain a multicultural student group in nursing are not new, the current need to establish a diverse work force in nursing remains urgent given the changing demography within the United States. One challenge in nursing graduate education lies in the development of innovative ways to educate students committed to working with people of color and underserved populations in the area of psychosocial health. This article presents the theoretical underpinnings of, and practical strategies for, recruitment and retention developed by the Psychosocial Nurse Practitioner training grant team, in collaboration with others at the University of Washington School of Nursing. This program, partially funded by the Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, is designed to educate future nurse practitioners to work with clients and families who have comorbid psychiatric, substance abuse, and physical conditions.