Driving toward a culture shift: Case studies of social mission in nursing education

Abstract

Background: Nursing schools need to provide students with the appropriate tools to develop competencies and resources to actualize moral courage to advance health equity and center social mission.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe six nursing programs that exemplify a variety of ways that social mission goals are pursued in different contexts.

Method: Using a case study approach, we selected nursing schools that excelled in at least one of the following social mission domains: education program, community engagement, governance, diversity & inclusion, institutional culture & climate and research. We conducted video interviews with the administration, faculty and students.

Findings: Main themes were: (1) central university/college commitment; (2) allocation of school resources; (3) faculty buy-in; (4) community partnerships; and, (5) an institutional culture of inclusion.

Discussion: While each school approaches social mission differently, there are commonalities across cases including a number of necessary factors for schools to advance their social mission goals.

Keywords: Future of Nursing; Health equity; Nursing education; Social mission.