Shawnda Schroeder, assistant professor in the UND Department of Indigenous Health, nominated the RAIN Program for the award. The healthcare workers were seeing the increasing diverseness in their facilities and wanted to make sure people were being seen, heard, and understood.ĭr. We want to celebrate that work throughout the state.”Īfter last year’s conference, several participants asked for more emphasis to be placed on sessions discussing diversity and equity in healthcare settings. “As rural communities grow in diversity, it is important to ensure that organizations work to make sure everyone feels included, heard, and a part of the local community. Nissen is also the program director for the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health. The RAIN Program support services have recently been expanded to include American Indian students in the social work and nutrition and dietetics programs with CNPD. states, and this isn’t just in the urban areas,” said Kylie Nissen, grant program director at the UND Center for Rural Health (CRH). “North Dakota saw the largest increase in diversity from 2010-2020 of all of the U.S. Having nurses who understand culture, community, rural health, barriers, and solutions brings highly valued care everyone deserves. But more than that, they have brought a culture of healing and healthcare to each of the reservations in North Dakota, and culturally-appropriate care to other parts of the state.Īccording to the RAIN program webpage, 50 percent of American Indian R.N.s in North Dakota are RAIN graduates. For each of their graduates, the RAIN program hosts an honor ceremony and traditional meal to celebrate their accomplishments in a culturally relevant and respectful way. Housed within the CNPD, the program has been active for 33 years, and has graduated 254 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 79 Master of Science in Nursing, and three Doctor of Nursing Practice students. The planning committee for the conference selects the awardees from the nominations. The Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health is a partnership of the University of North Dakota (UND) Center for Rural Health (CRH), the North Dakota Rural Health Association, the North Dakota Public Health Association, the UND College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines (CNPD), and Altru Health System. And the RAIN program has succeeded in that goal. This award is presented to an individual or team that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and made significant contributions to the health of North Dakotans through advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The annual awards banquet recognizes outstanding North Dakota rural health advocates for their accomplishments. It is this personal attention that has allowed the program to become successful and, in June, receive the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award at the Rural and Public Health Awards Banquet during the 38 th Annual Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, held in Bismarck. Their goal is to help the individual, and this includes assistance with personal and financial counseling, guidance, and providing a “home away from home.” Celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion But the faculty and staff don’t just help with advising and other academic support. The program supports students from pre-nursing through doctorate work. The RAIN program helps American Indian students who aspire to work in the nursing field. In addition, RAIN graduates have impacted care beyond the borders of North Dakota, with many working in healthcare organizations across the United States and around the globe. The UND Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) program understands this goal, as it is at the heart of the program’s mission. Working to ensure organizations keep diversity, equity, and inclusion on top of mind is an important part of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. Accepting the award are (from left) Evelyn “Faye” Foote, RAIN/MHA Pathways mentor Deb Wilson, retired RAIN Program director Kelsey Morin, RAIN/MHA Pathways mentor Barb Anderson, director Chantel Vazquez, Student Support Services mentor Kara Anderson, prospective student advisor and office coordinator and Katey Monette, nurse mentor. Half of all American Indian registered nurses in North Dakota are RAIN Program graduates, the program reports Earlier in June, UND’s RAIN or Recruitment & Retention of American Indians into Nursing program received the Rural Health ‘Excellence in DEI’ Award at the 38th Annual Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health. Published in: Affinity, Center for Rural Health, College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, Equity
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