Faculty commitment: retaining minority nursing students in majority institutions.

Abstract

Minority students are at risk in majority institutions. Students face personal, academic, and institutional barriers to their success. Low retention and graduation rates at majority institutions, and particularly in nursing programs, are cause for alarm and compel nursing faculty to take action in order to reverse the trend of under-representation of minorities in the ranks of the profession. Based on the literature and personal experiences, the authors maintain that commitment of both minority and majority faculty is the primary factor in promoting minority student success. Such commitment can lead to increased involvement of faculty in the success of minority students and to the establishment of organized programs and services that facilitate minority student success. Case illustrations are included.