Diversity Spotlight

You are unique, you are exceptional, you are the face of diversity in nursing!
Each month the BTN committee will be highlighting different heritage and minority groups represented in the field of nursing. By recognizing and celebrating our differences we can work together to bridge the gaps in healthcare so that the quality of care is improved for all people. If you, or someone you know, has embodied the characteristics of a transcultural nurse please share those experiences with us at mansbreakthroughtonursing@gmail.com. We’d love to share your accomplishments.
Picture credit: https://www.uab.edu/news/updates/item/5278-cultural-competency-faculty-institute-looks-to-increase-the-nursing-workforce-diversity-pipeline
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month

September is National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. Join us in celebrating nurses and nursing students of Hispanic and Latino heritage throughout Maryland and across the country.
Check out the National Association of Hispanic Nurses student resource page here à http://hispanicsinnursing.org/, full of information about classes, mentors, role models, and scholarship and job opportunities.
Also, their YouTube channel à https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0-I8rc-vZ9xbgreCmCztQ has a collection of Mentor Connection videos in which nursing students offer support in relation to the obstacles faced today.

This month we are shining the spotlight on Military and Veteran nurses and nursing students!
Are you a military veteran studying to be a nurse but not sure where you want to specialize? Check out Nursing School Hub’s ideas on the best nursing jobs for military veterans. à https://www.nursingschoolhub.com/what-are-the-best-nursing-jobs-for-military-veterans/
Follow this link à http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/veterans.htm for scholarship opportunities geared towards military veterans.
Picture credit: https://www.army.mil/article/149686/german_army_nurses_integrate_with_hospital_during_exercise

Minority Nurse has great resources that discuss the specific disparities in healthcare for this population. à http://minoritynurse.com/tag/american-indian-native-american-nurses/
Check out the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives for scholarships available for students Native American heritage. à https://www.ihs.gov/scholarship/
December

This month we are highlighting nursing students throughout Maryland that are considered non-traditional. The term non-traditional generally includes students with one or more of the following characteristics; 25 years or older, works full-time, attends college part-time, financially independent, has at least one child, did not attend college right out of high school, or is obtaining a secondary undergraduate degree.
If you consider yourself to be a non-traditional student and are considering nursing as a career path, check out → https://www.allnursingschools.com/articles/second-career-nursing/ for information about going back to school for nursing.
Also, your very own MANS organization offers a scholarship unique to non-traditional students. Applications are available on our website at → https://www.mdnursingstudents.org/mans-scholarships January

This January the Maryland
Association of Nursing Students is highlighting male nurse and nursing students
throughout the state. The American Assembly
for Men in Nursing has great resources including mentor/mentee sign-up, career
center, resume review, and much more on their website http://www.aamn.org/resources
They also have a webpage dedicated to helping you find the right scholarship to assist you in achieving your goals of becoming a nurse. Check out their scholarship page here http://www.aamn.org/about-us/scholarships
Photo
credit: https://iu.instructure.com/courses/1453569/pages/men-in-nursing
February

For the month of February, the Maryland Association of Nursing Students is highlighting black nurses and nursing students throughout the state. The National Black Nurses Association has a plethora of resources including a mentor/mentee program http://www.nbna.org/mentorshipprogram, and a page dedicated to a variety of nursing initiatives http://www.nbna.org/resourcesplatform.
Another great nursing resource page is from Black Nurses Rock. This organization provides support and mentorship to nurses in an effort to elevate the profession and improve communities. Check out their online community at https://blacknursesrock.com/.
March

As March is Women’s History Month, MANS Breakthrough to
Nursing would like to shine the spotlight on women in leadership.
While women currently make up 78% of healthcare employees, they only fill 21% of executive roles; and despite there being over 3.6 million nurses in the United States, only 5% hold positions on hospital boards (CSU, 2017). As the field grows in autonomy and distinct scientific practice, the question begs, “Why aren’t nurses being represented in healthcare leadership?”
The American Nurses Association has extensive resources available to its members, including discounted leadership, delegation, and management courses. http://www.nursingworld.org/continuing-education/ce-subcategories/leadership/
Be sure to check out the American Organization of Nurse Executives which offers unique mentor programs for nurses interesting in taking the next step to becoming executive leaders in their field. http://www.aone.org/resources/community.shtml