Supporters

PO Box 104661
Jefferson City, MO 65110
www.mocenterfornursing.org

President August 30, 2018
Kristine Strong
Nurse Case Manager Dear Supporter,
Mercy Health System
As a nurse and president of the Missouri Center for Nursing Board of Directors,
President Elect I am asking for your financial support of our fundraising campaign.
OPEN
The Missouri Center for Nursing works through the nursing profession to
Treasurer implement nurse lead projects addressing gaps in health and health care. We
Cindy Remmert rely on passionate volunteers to assist in turning these initiatives into reality.
Director of Finance Programs such as Nurses on Boards, Diversity, Annual Summit, Leadership
Missouri Corn Merchandising Council Academy, Military Medic to BSN Partnership Program, and Healing Minds,
Missouri Corn Growers Association Changing Lives Psychiatric Nursing Program, are being offered to nurses across
the state.
Secretary
Bonnie Stegman In this packet, you will find detailed information about the Center and our
Assistant Professor/ programs. I ask that you please consider making a personal or organizational
Maryville University donation to help us continue our mission of providing opportunities for
collaboration among nursing and health stakeholders in an effort to advance a
Board of Directors culture of health for all Missourians.
Raissa Ameh
Clinical Manager Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or suggestions. My email
Missouri Family Health Council is [email protected] and my phone number is 417-844-9051.

Marlena Ellen Balvin Thanks so much for your support!
Adolescent Psychiatric Nurse
Research Psychiatric Hospital Sincerely,

Julie Clawson Kristine Strong, RN, BSN, MHA, CCM
Chair & Prof. of Nursing President, Board of Directors
Univ. of Central Missouri Missouri Center for Nursing

Carol Ellis
Vice President of Nursing
St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Stacy Farr
Teaching Asst Prof.,
BHS Program
UMKC School of Nursing

Darrell Mantle
Community Banking Pres.
Central Bank

Thomas Saggio
Interim CNO
St. Alexius Hospital

Lisa Sitler
Maternal Child Health Educ.
Lincoln County Health Dept.

Alison Williams
VP of Clinical Quality Improvement
Missouri Hospital Association

WWEH’OREWAELLARINE
Who We AreThe Missouri Center for Nursing, established

by nurses and friends of nurses in our
state, plays a central role in providing
opportunities for collaboration among
nursing and other health stakeholders.
The Center envisions a future in which
individuals, families, group and communities
in Missouri lead healthier lives, now and for
generations to come.

The Center is working to create
understanding about the nursing
profession, ensure nurses are key partners
in redesigning healthcare, and to highlight
the impact of the profession on the lives
of Missourians. It is the “connector” of the
relationship between health care professions
and a sustainable, healthy community.

Created in 2010 as the Missouri Action WE SUPPORT
Coalition in response to the IOM’s Future NURSES SO
of Nursing report, the Missouri Center for THEY CAN
Nursing was established and recognized SUPPORT YOU!
as a 501c3 nonprofit in 2015. The Center
is governed by a fifteen member Board of
Directors and receives visionary direction
from a twelve member Advisory Council.

Current programs of the Center include:
an Annual Summit, Academic Progression,
Direct Care Nurses Leadership Academy,
Diversity (Faces of Nursing), Innovative Care
Institute, Military Medic to BSN, Nurses on
Boards, and Psychiatric Nursing (Healing
Minds, Changing Lives). Additionally, the
Center is working to establish a Culture of
Health in Missouri — in which all Missourians
are encouraged to be their healthiest where
they live, work, play, and learn.

WHY YOU SHOULD GIVE?

Why Are We Raising Money? the health of Missourians. Each and every one of us
has been and will continue to be impacted by nurses
Health and healthcare are changing at an throughout our lives. An investment in nursing is an
unprecedented rate. In order to adequately investment in all of us.
respond to these changes and deliver the best
care possible, additional training and resources You, your family, your friends, and your employees
are needed for practicing nurses, nurse all benefit from being healthy and receiving optimal
educators, and nursing leaders across the state. healthcare. Nurses are on the frontline of delivering
that care. Help us give back to those who give
The Center for Nursing currently operates on everything to others.
grants, organizational donations, and program
income. Additional funding is needed to continue How Can I Participate Beyond Giving?
designing, implementing, and offering programs,
training, and initiatives to maximize the potential In addition to financial giving, you can give of your
of Missouri’s nurses. time and talent by volunteering for one of our
committees, participating in our activities, and
Why Should I/We Give? engaging us in your work. Collaborating is what we
do and your input is greatly valued at the Center.
As the largest and most trusted sector of health
employment, nurses are imperative to improving

mocenterfornursing.org

HOW TO GIVE

The Missouri Center for Nursing appreciates any donation, of any amount. Please consider making
a pledge for annual giving. All donors are recognized on our website and all donations are tax
deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can donate online at www.mocenterfornursing.org/
supporters/ or by filling out and mailing the form below with your check.

INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATION Name___________________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address__________________________________________________________________________________
City_________________________________________________________ State________ Zip______________
Phone Number (__________ ) _________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________
Amount_______________________________________

Organization Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Representative Name_____________________________________________________________________________
Representative Title_______________________________________________________________________________
Organization Address_____________________________________________________________________________
City_________________________________________________________ State________ Zip______________
Work Number (________ ) _____________________ Cell Number (_______ ) ________________________
Administrative Assistant___________________________________________________________________________
E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________

Please select type of organization: Please select a sponsorship level:
m Advocacy Group
m Business m Platinum - $10,000
m Foundation m Gold - $5,000
m Healthcare Organization m Silver - $2,500
m Nursing Organization m Bronze - $1,000
m School of Nursing m Copper - $500
m University/Community College
m Other_______________________________________

Mail completed form and check to:
PO Box 104661
Jefferson City MO 65110

For questions, contact us at [email protected].

PROGRAMS

DIRECT CARE NURSES
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

In 2013, the Missouri Center for Nursing (formerly Sample Agenda
the Missouri Action Coalition) developed the Direct
Care Nurses Leadership Academy in response Module 1/Day 1: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
to the IOM’s Future of Nursing: Leading Change,
Advancing Health report recommendation to Objectives:
“prepare and enable nurses to lead change to
advance health.” • Discuss the important core competencies
for optimizing contribution to patient care
The Center continuously revises the format and and healthcare environment.
content to respond to current local, statewide,
and national needs. The goal remains of building • Discuss aspects of visioning for a
direct care nursing leadership skills and knowledge preferred future and the relationship
through a content-rich, interactive mentorship of global thinking to patient care and
program. teamwork.

The Academy takes place over a period of three • Identify a project that meets specific
to four months and includes three full days of criteria.
instruction and interaction. Participants are
challenged to choose an improvement project that • Analyze the identified project for
would enhance their daily work and the lives of relevance and scope.
their patients. They work closely with a mentor in
their organization through the project management • Describe the stakeholders for the
cycle to identify and implement their identified identified project and make a plan to
improvement. Additional topics include: conflict address each of them.
management and resolution, identifying and
• Identify actions needed to complete
working with different personality types, project management plans.
health reform, creating and managing
change, healthcare quality, leading with • Prepare to interview a change agent.
accountability, and sustainability.
1. Introductions and Ice Breaker (30 min)
Over 500 point of care nurses in 2. Expectations, Schedule Overview and
Missouri are graduates of the Center’s
Direct Care Nurses Leadership Deliverables (30 min)
Academy. We look forward to 3. IOM Future of Nursing Report and the
continuing to develop the leadership
Missouri Action Coalition (60 min)
skills of nurses in our state! 4. Introduction to Proposed Projects and

Current Project Discussion (60 min)
5. Lunch (60 min)
6. Creating and Managing Change (180 min)

LeadershipD I R EC T C A R E N U R S E S
Academy

WHAT OUR
SUPPORTERS
ARE SAYING

CoxHealth has been a supporter and proponent KAREN KRAMER, RN, BSN, MSHA, CENP
of the leadership academy for three years.
We’ve had four cohorts. Our primary support VICE PRESIDENT
has been providing meeting space for the SYSTEM CHIEF NURSING OFFICER
regional sessions. In addition, our nursing COX HEALTH
leadership team encourages staff participation
and they actively participate in the sessions and even more important, most become more of
as mentors. We’ve been excited to see great a positive change agent within their current
participation from our direct care nurses. Since sphere of influence. For our organization, it
the program started we have had approximately is also a wonderful opportunity for nurses to
150 nurses complete the academy. network and develop contacts outside of their
own departments.
I personally attend the entire closing session
where nurses present their projects. It is very Direct Care nurses have very few opportunities
rewarding to see the level of enthusiasm they to learn skills that teach them how to be more
have in making positive change. Their projects influential. It would be very difficult, and in
are timely and relevant. Their ideas are often fact for many smaller hospitals not financially
ideas leadership would not have considered. feasible to provide this level of education and
Many of the nurses who have completed the training. This program is the platform to reach
program, have gone on to become charge a far greater number of nurses in the state of
nurses or assistant nurse managers. But perhaps Missouri and to do it at a much lower cost.

It is very rewarding to see the
level of enthusiasm they have
in making positive change.

NURSES ON BOARDS

Nurses possess a unique skill set and an increasing the number of nurse leaders in pivotal
unmatched public trust that is desirable for board decision-making roles on boards and commissions
service. In a time of rapid change in health care that work to improve the health of everyone in
that affect all sectors, consumers benefit from America. The Missouri Center for Nursing is working
having nurses’ bedside perspective present in to educate nurses on the skills and qualities needed
boardrooms as policy decisions are made. for board service, identifying appropriate boards
to serve on, and collecting data regarding the
The shortage of nurses serving on boards number of Missouri nurses currently and interested
contrasts the fact that nurses comprise in serving. Additionally, the Center works with the
the largest segment of the U.S. health care national Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC).
workforce—3 million strong. More than any other
health care provider, nurses bring the perspective The NOBC represents nursing and other organi-
of the patient. They are on the frontlines in zations working to build healthier communities in
making sure care is delivered safely, effectively America by increasing nurses’ presence on corpo-
and compassionately. With federal health care rate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and
reform, health care providers are reworking care commissions. The coalition’s goal is to help ensure
delivery to make it more accessible, accountable that at least 10,000 nurses are on boards by 2020,
and affordable, while putting an emphasis on as well as raise awareness that all boards would
prevention and primary care. Nurse leaders can benefit from the unique perspective of nurses to
impact the health of the communities they serve achieve the goals of improved health in the United
not only though their roles as clinicians, but also States. In Missouri, the objective is to ensure we
through service on non-profit and community have 200 nurses on boards by 2020.
boards of directors. It’s time they begin playing
a role in the boardroom too, bringing both their You can help by attending our trainings, identifying
practical sensibilities and view of patient care and encouraging dynamic nurses to serve, and by
experiences to the table. entering your information into the database at
www.mocenterfornursing.org/nurses-on-boards.aspx.
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine released a
landmark report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Stand Up, Be Heard, and Get Counted!
Change, Advancing Health, which recommended

BNOuArsReDsS

WHAT OUR LEADERS ARE SAYING

CAROL ELLIS, DNP, RN, NEA-BC GLORIA SOLIS, MSN, RN, MBA, NEA-BC

VICE PRESIDENT NURSING SENIOR NURSING DIRECTOR
ST. ANTHONY’S MEDICAL CENTER THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CANCER CENTER

As a nurse, I bring a voice to my community through As nurses, we have been trained to assess, plan,
a blended view of patients’ needs and perspectives implement and evaluate the needs of our patients.
as well as the healthcare workforce and system. Our training along with relationship building skills
Being able to share these viewpoints opens up makes us the ideal board member. We represent
dialogue that promotes awareness and influences a profession that is highly trusted. Our voice and
change. Every nurse has the power to share their problem solving abilities are invaluable. I have
knowledge and insights of health and health care, served on many different types of boards ranging
people trust and respect nurses. By serving on from community to professional. Board service
Boards at all levels, we influence decisions that has opened my eyes to needs beyond health
impact people within our community, ultimately care to which I have grown both personally and
helping to shape a better world for all of us. I professionally. If you haven’t considered joining a
encourage all my colleagues to consider board board, please call me. I would love the opportunity
service and also encourage non-nurses to recognize to mentor you through the process.
the value a nurse can bring to your board.

KIMBERLY HARPER, RN, MS

CEO, INDIANA CENTER FOR NURSING
BOARD CHAIR-ELECT, NURSES ON BOARDS COALITION

Everybody wins when nurse executives serve on the
boards of non-profit and community health organizations.
Communities experience improved health; nurses increase
their job satisfaction and grow professionally; and
healthcare organizations reap the benefit of new insights,
best practices, and enhanced reputation. It is therefore
beneficial to healthcare organizations to support the
volunteer efforts of their nurse executives in community
service, including board service.

PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING

The Healing Minds, Changing Lives program aims Mental health nurses work with clients who
to increase knowledge of mental/behavioral suffer from conditions like anxiety, depression,
health triumphs and challenges, increase nursing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There are, of
engagement in the field, and positively affect course, many more.
patient outcomes through a variety of activities
and speaking engagements. Psychiatric/mental health nursing is varied
and interesting. There are a range of skills that
More Americans than ever before are suffering mental health nurses require, such as mental
from mental and emotional distress, according health promotion and prevention, mental health
to numerous studies. Missouri is not immune to assessment and interventions, specialist counseling
this and like almost all states in the U.S., faces a and psychotherapy, medication management, direct
shortage of mental health providers and a lack of nursing care, education and training, and research
access to adequate treatment. and evaluation. Mental health nurses work with
people from all cultures, all religions and socio-
According to the Missouri Department of economic backgrounds.
Mental Health’s “2016 Status Report on
Missouri’s Substance Use and Mental Health,” Collaboration is essential to good mental health prac-
each year, an estimated 19% of Missouri adults tice, so psychiatric/mental health nurses work collab-
experience a mental disorder, an estimated 5% oratively with a range of other health professionals,
of Missouri adults have a serious mental illness, including other nurses, doctors, psychologists and
approximately 8% of Missouri residents older than other allied health professionals, as part of a multi-
age 12 have a substance use disorder, and more disciplinary team. Advocacy is an important aspect
than 10% of Missouri adolescents have a major of nursing, and particularly in mental health nursing.
depressive episode annually. Nearly 100,000 People with mental health conditions are often
Missouri adults with serious mental illness have an stigmatized and marginalized in our communities.
unmet need for mental health treatment.
In order to adequately care for Missouri’s psychiatric/
As the largest sector of healthcare employment mental health population, we must increase awareness
and the first touch many patients receive, nurses—in of psychiatric/mental health nursing and of the skills
all settings and of all levels—must be aware of needed for all nurses to care for Missouri’s most
mental health needs and treatment pathways. vulnerable. We must provide additional training for
Additionally, awareness is needed for general practicing nurses and we must reduce the current
nurses to understand and consider psychiatric/ stigmas around this vulnerable population.
mental health nursing as a specialty.
Healing Minds
Psychiatric/mental health nursing is a specialized
branch of nursing with a focus on the care of Changing Lives
people with mental health problems. Mental
health nurses work with their clients to promote PSYCHIATRIC N U RSING
psychological well-being and emotional health
and physical well-being. This can be working
with their clients to understand their mental
health conditions, to learn how to manage their
symptoms and be aware of what can exacerbate
their mental health condition.

WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE SAYING

RACHELLE GLAVIN GAYLE RENEER, RN, BSN, MBA

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL OPERATIONS VICE PRESIDENT
MISSOURI COALITION FOR COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE MERCY VIRTUAL

The nursing profession continues to be in Mental health and wellness impacts everyone
increasing demand in healthcare and that and mental health drives medical health. In the
includes behavioral health. In Missouri, absence of addressing an individual’s mental
community behavioral health providers health, the cost of medical care will continue
have changed their mission to providing and to rise. As mental health issues go untreated,
coordinating care for both the physical and at risk behaviors (such as lack of self-care,
behavioral health care needs of the individuals smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise)
they serve, after a study revealed that people and poor habits can foster the development
diagnosed with a serious mental illness were of chronic medical diseases such as high
losing 25 years of life due to preventable and blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac disease, and
treatable medical conditions. Behavioral health respiratory disease.
can no longer solely focus on the needs of the
individual from the neck up. We must focus The present model of separate care also does
on the needs of the whole person to have a not address the lack of adequately trained
valuable impact on a person’s recovery, and health care providers or adequate resources.
nurses are an invaluable member of the team This is a crucial issue we have been focusing
that makes the difference. Nurses understand on to promote mental health education and
this more than any other health profession. training for nursing students and practicing
nurses. The more training and education
Through recent technological advancements, health care providers can get to address the
behavioral health providers in Missouri are growing medical AND mental health issues
equipped with the ability to generate a one is experiencing, the greater our chances of
complete consumer history and automated improving outcomes.
alerts of real time gaps in care. This enables
nurses to address individual concerns for a high Additional funding and support is necessary to
risk patient, as well as target an intervention continue promoting mental health and wellness,
to specific populations with a common care training and encouraging nursing students,
gap. Additional behavioral health nurses are and changing culture to remove the stigmas of
essential to responding to the need to serve mental illness.
the most vulnerable in our state.

MILITARY MEDIC TO BSN

The Military Medic to BSN Partnership Program knowledge and skills they possess. Frequently, they
uses an individualized approach to mentoring can only serve as entry level medical employees
military medics through employment, education, within the healthcare system and are commonly
and clinical opportunities where and when working minimum wage jobs. Presently, programs
they need them while pursuing their Bachelors that assist in transitioning military service members
of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Nursing into the civilian world are significantly limited.
and military personnel who represent practice,
education, and employment from across the state This program helps to address the lack of a
are collaborating to ensure a pathway for military transition from a military to civilian workforce.
medics to earn their BSN degree followed by Utilizing our current partnerships with health
licensure as a registered nurse (RN). The result systems, schools of nursing, community partners,
is a deliberate course where military medics can and through building new ones, we will create an
individualized mentorship for military medics to
transition from military service to an enriched earn their BSN in the most streamlined process
civilian career. possible.

Military medics have extensive By creating an individualized, case-by-case review
medical training and practical of related military training and experience, we will
experience. While in champion the process so that military medics who
service, many medics participate in this program will be given maximum
lead emergency credit for prior learning. We recognize the valuable
departments, and relevant education and training that military
conduct life-saving medics have achieved while decreasing the overall
procedures, cost of earning a BSN, decreasing the amount
and administer of time it will take to earn a BSN, and facilitating
specialized care a more expeditious entry into professional
based on the nursing practice which positively impacts career
immediate needs sustainability and earning potential.
of the patient in
addition to the We continue to collaborate with additional schools
better-known duties of nursing and nursing employers who share our
of treating battlefield vision. We want to partner with others who have
casualties. a desire to provide valuable resources that aid in
employing and educating military medics who have
Despite this chosen a Missouri institution of higher learning to
diverse training engage in BSN completion.
and experience,
upon transition to It’s time to give back to those
the civilian world, who give it all!
military medics are
not recognized for the

WHAT OUR SUPPORTERS
ARE SAYING

CHRIS CEBOLLERO JENNIFER CORDIA, RN, BSN, MBA

SENIOR PARTNER SENIOR DIRECTOR CLINICAL OPERATIONS
CEBOLLERO AND ASSOCIATES ASCENSION MEDICAL GROUP

I’m so very excited about the opportunity this I am honored to be part of this program that
program offers. With the mentorship of Missouri supports our military veterans as they transfer
Center for Nursing personnel, military medics into their civilian career. Military veterans possess
have the chance to take their education to the extraordinary clinical skills that are needed at the
next level and hence, their career to the next bedside. This program provides key mentorship
level. It’s a great reward for a job well done and a to ensure that patients and peers benefit from
much needed program—for all Missourians. skilled medics. All Missourians will benefit from
continued growth of this program.

Military veterans possess extraordinary
clinical skills that are needed at the
bedside. This program provides key
mentorship to ensure that patients and
peers benefit from skilled medics.

ANNUAL SUMMIT

In 2015, the Missouri Action Coalition established The Summit is attended by nursing executives,
the Missouri Center for Nursing with the mission nursing students, point of care nurses, nursing
of providing opportunities for collaboration educators, and other health stakeholders from
among nursing and health stakeholders to across the state. Topics vary from year to year
advance a culture of health for all Missourians. but always center on current statewide and
Building off our successes in addressing the national trends and are decided on by nurses.
IOM recommendations, the Missouri Center for That’s right—nurses get to decide what they want
Nursing has broadened its scope to create and and need to know more about!
foster a culture of health for Missourians.
As one of the main fundraisers for the Center, the
The Annual Summit is provided so that nurses Annual Summit is integral in providing operational
and friends of nursing will gain in understanding support. Continued growth in the number of
of what the culture of health is, what their role is attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors is necessary to
within it, and how the Missouri Center for Nursing ensure sustainability of the Center for Nursing as a
is addressing it. resource for nurses and all Missourians.

WHAT OUR ATTENDEES ARE SAYING

JASON PURCELL, MSN, RN, NEA-BC KRIS STRONG, RN, BSN, MHA

CERTIFICATE HOLDER NURSE CASE MANAGER
IN FUNDAMENTALS OF MAGNET MERCY CARE MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
I have attended the Annual Summit since 2012.
The annual summit provides a “big picture” look The summit appealed to me because it was all
at what is happening around the state and nation about healthcare issues and how they affected
related to the profession of nursing. The broad Missouri. I wanted to put my time and effort
array of topics speaks to nurses in all settings and into how I could impact the citizens of Missouri.
keeps professionals at the forefront of what is I continue to be impressed year after year in
impacting our profession today and potentially in the content that is presented and the caliber of
the future. The expertise and caliber of speakers speakers and presentations. The topics are always
is second to none. timely in regards to the current events and trends
in healthcare.
This program needs continued support and
funding because we need to be able to reach The coordination and collaboration that the
more professionals—attendance at the summit Missouri Center for Nursing provides allows
is not fantastic. With more funding, we could attendees to be informed and to find a way to be
dedicate more resources to reaching other nurses active in Missouri’s healthcare environment. Each
in the state and contracting services meant to year, more Nursing Friends and Friends of Nursing
expand the attendance. The attendance there by attend the annual summit to learn about how
many nurses over time will only strengthen the they impact the health of Missourians and how to
profession of nursing, providing our communities get involved in their communities, counties and
and those that we serve with professionals who state. With more funding, we could draw national
are well informed on topics related to nursing and speakers, make the conference more affordable to
healthcare in general. Nurses are at the forefront participants, and provide a great environment that
of providing care to Missourians; to support them, will keep attendees returning year after year.
we must inform them. This venue is perfect for
the exposure!

With more funding, we could draw national
speakers, make the conference more affordable to
participants, and provide a great environment that
will keep attendees returning year after year.

FACES OF NURSING
DIVERSITY PROGRAM

The Faces of Nursing Diversity program is working demographics, provides culturally competent care,
to increase the diversity of the nursing workforce and contributes to reducing health disparities that
to ensure that every health consumer in Missouri exist between different groups is a key goal of
has the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the Missouri Center for Nursing and the Future of
their caregivers. We strive for a nursing workforce Nursing: Campaign for Action, a joint initiative of the
that more closely reflects the diversity of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
nation’s population. and AARP.

White and female. Health care disparities are inequalities that occur in
health care access and quality among different racial,
No two words more accurately describe the ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Despite years of
nation’s nursing profession. A full 83 percent of efforts to address disparities, the fact remains that
nurses are white, and about 90 percent are female. certain ethnic and racial groups in Missouri receive
In a world of fast-changing demographics, many lower quality health care than others and suffer from
recognize those statistics need to change and that worse health—regardless of their health insurance
our nation needs a nursing workforce that is more coverage, their income, or where they live.
representative of the people being served.
Because nurses make up the largest part of the
Increasing the number of nurses from different health care workforce, it is particularly important
backgrounds, including races, gender, and that they reflect the diversity of the people they
ethnicities, will contribute to better health and care for. Nurses can help create a Culture of Health
health care for all. From such diversity in nursing and provide culturally competent care—or care that
comes a deeper understanding of the elements is tailored to meet the needs of people with diverse
that affect a person’s health and emotional behaviors, beliefs, and values, including their social,
well-being, and ultimately, improved care and cultural, and linguistic needs—that can reduce
treatment. health care disparities.

That’s why creating and fostering a more diverse Join us in working to ensure that Missouri
workforce of nurses that reflects America’s nurses reflect Missouri’s population!

Portions of this article were taken from https://
campaignforaction.org/building-diverse-nursing-workforce/.

WHAT OUR
LEADERS
ARE SAYING

Achieving diversity and inclusion in nursing ANN MARIE E. MCSWAIN, DHA, MSN, RN
education is vital to our community and
healthcare globally. Valuing both diversity and DEAN
inclusion means that each individual (student LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
and/or patient) is accepted for their own set of
norms and beliefs. As healthcare educators and
providers we must recognize that even within
a culture no two individuals are the same.
The Missouri Center for Nursing understands
the importance of crucial conversations that
will result in acceptance and respect for each
individual in our community.

SALLY ELLIS FLETCHER, PHD, RN, FNAP TOM SAGGIO, RN-BC, MSN, MHS

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR STUDENTS SCHOOL INTERIM CNO
OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES ST. ALEXIUS HOSPITAL

UMKC SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES There is nothing more important right now than
addressing and educating our nurses on Diversity
It’s important to recognize that all of us possess and Inclusion. I am excited to be part of the
biases, prejudices and stereotypes (BPS). The Missouri Center for Nursing’s efforts to promote
challenge is recognizing our BPS and moving them curriculum teaching our future nurses how to be
aside to provide culturally appropriate healthcare. inclusive in a diverse workplace as well as care for
It’s also important to expand the discussion patients of diverse backgrounds. Teamwork, trust
beyond the patient experience, and address BPS and the provision of quality care must recognize
nurses and other healthcare members receive the Diversity and Inclusion components to truly
while providing healthcare. I am happy to be be successful.
working with the Center to address this.

mocenterfornursing.org