AONE GuidinG PriNciPlEs

1 aone GuidinG PriNciPlEs for DIVERSITY IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS. Position Statement The American Organization of Nurse Executives ( aone ), increase work productivity, minimize time-consuming the premier organization and voice for nursing leadership, disruptions and increase creative approaches to is committed to advocating for and achieving diversity challenges. within the community of nurse leaders and in the The need to address educational pipeline issues is an workplace environment. The organizational mission and urgent matter if we are to have an adequately diverse strategic direction of aone recognize that the success of workforce for the future. nursing leadership is dependent on reflecting the diversity Cross-generational, cross-gender and cross-racial of the communities nurses serve.

2 aone advocates mentoring are actions that foster equity. promoting diversity in all forms. Racism and its companions biases, stereotypes and prejudices must be understood and its undesirable It is the position of aone that diversity is one of the effects prevented. essential building blocks of a healthful practice/work Ageism and its companions intergenerational biases, environment and, as such, we believe the following to stereotypes and prejudices must be understood and be essential PriNciPlEs of diversity: its undesirable effects prevented. Diversity is more than a compliance issue; it is an issue It is appropriate and noteworthy to incorporate health of stewardship of human resources. literacy (CLAS Standards) into nursing curricula and The effects of culture/diversity on behavior can be areas of participant competence by professional and often are significant, but culture/diversity does not schools and continuing education programs in nursing predict behavior.

3 Or other health-related fields. Difference is not a problem; it is an opportunity to learn It is desirable and educationally responsible for schools and grow. of nursing to acknowledge and consider in their admission The consideration of both visible and non-visible policies the impact culture may have on factors such components of multi-culturalism is a necessary as test scores, class rank and acts of leadership on the cognitive process in all human encounters. applicant pool of under-represented and traditionally Assaults on anyone's self-esteem, sexual preference or marginalized groups in nursing. individuality are not acceptable under any circumstances. It is important that organizations align their workforce Incorrect assumptions about diversity result with that of the larger population within the community in an environment which is risk adverse and to ensure a culturally diverse workforce.

4 Non-transformational. It is necessary to understand the demographic Relationships are the true currency of organizations. characteristics of the patient populations served and strive Diversity, when valued and treated as strength, can to balance them with those of the health care workforce. aone GuidinG PriNciPlEs The following PriNciPlEs are intended to guide the nurse Designate fiscal resources to develop programs leader in achieving a diverse workforce by becoming and policies to meet the needs of diverse patient an advocate for resources to implement and support populations served. a diversity program, encouraging a commitment to Establish system processes to ensure the needs of all education, and leading diversity research initiatives that patient populations are met.

5 Are based on performance improvement outcomes. Include members from the local community with diverse backgrounds in organizational planning processes. GuidinG Principle #1 Health care organizations will Educate the community on the importance of collecting strive to develop internal and external resources that data, including patient and workforce race, ethnicity, support patient-centered care and meet the needs of and primary language spoken, for use in improving the diverse patient and workforce populations served. patient care, safety and quality. 1 GuidinG PriNciPlEs Develop processes and policies to ensure that non- support development and implementation of policies, English speaking and limited English proficiency procedures, programs and learning environments that patients will be assured access to interpretive services foster recruitment and retention of a student population and written translated patient education materials that reflects the diversity of the United States.

6 And documents, employing a variety of education Encourage use of admission criteria that focus on both methodologies. qualitative and quantitative data. Implement processes to promote both the consistency Recognize and appreciate the social and cultural barriers of quality of care across various patient populations, to college attendance that may exist for students from and a balance in demographics between the patient diverse population, gender and age groups. and the workforce populations. Enter into collaborative agreements between education Execute employment recruitment plans and strategies and practice that offer nursing staff from diverse groups to attract a workforce that is reflective of the the opportunity to serve as student mentors, guest populations served.

7 Lecturers, participants in school-based health centers Educate staff members on the importance of and/or clinical faculty. understanding the diversity of the patient population Encourage and support graduate education for nurses served and provision of culturally competent care from diverse populations in order to build a more including collaboration with individual patients on the diverse pool of nurse leaders including nursing faculty. planning, implementation and evaluation of health care goals, provisions and outcomes. Develop and implement career plans for potential candidates for nursing careers from current employees Support staff members in obtaining training and with an emphasis on those from nonmajority groups. education in health care interpretation in culturally appropriate aspects of care.

8 Create and support community outreach programs such as shadow a nurse day, health care career fairs and high GuidinG Principle #2 Health care organizations will school tutoring programs for targeted cultural groups in aim to establish a healthful practice/work environment collaboration with members of the local community. that is reflective of diversity through a commitment to Create a clinical rotation environment that supports inclusivity, tolerance and governance structures. a diverse nursing student body and learning styles, Encourage the employment of diverse groups of health and collaborates with faculty to assure students have care professionals. clinical experiences that provide opportunities to assess Actively involve all people in a shared decision-making diverse patients, experience diverse cultural norms and health care practices, and design and implement process, when appropriate.

9 Culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, patient- Aim to establish a diverse healthful practice/work centered care that is equitable and responsive to environment at all levels, including leadership and diverse patient populations. governance teams. Celebrate the diversity of talent as a source of strength, GuidinG Principle #4 Health care organizations will pride and team spirit throughout the organization. collect and disseminate diversity-related resources Emphasize the promotion, recognition and acceptance and information. of diversity by all staff members in a non-biased and Utilize technology to heighten awareness and share sensitive manner. information and resources related to diversity. Facilitate the creation of a work environment that Collect data (including, but not limited to, race is conducive to open com munication, acceptant of and primary language spoken) as a part of routine differences, and flexible in maximizing the use of an patient registration processes and human resources increasingly diverse and aging workforce.

10 Management programs in order to better document and Lead staff members without stereotypes or assumptions reflect the components of the patient and workforce and with sensitivity to their gender/sexual orientation, populations. Establish formal policies and procedures race/ethnicity, age, knowledge, skills, cultural to reflect these data collections. backgrounds, values and beliefs. Support health care information technology (HIT). Establish metrics to monitor targeted diversity benchmarks. systems that enhance the collection of diverse patient GuidinG Principle #3 Health care organizations will and workforce demographic data. partner with universities, schools of nursing, and other Provide education to all staff regarding the relevance organizations that educate health care workers to and value of collecting patient and workforce data for DIVERSITY IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS.