Nurse Diversity Council

At the Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition (PA-NWC), we believe diversity is essential to reducing healthcare disparities and fostering a more inclusive workforce. The Nurse Diversity Council (NDC) is dedicated to advancing diversity and cultural humility in nursing to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to high-quality, patient-centered care.

NDC Vision & Mission

  • NDC Vision: At the Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition (PA-NWC), we believe diversity is essential to reducing healthcare disparities and fostering a more inclusive workforce. The Nurse Diversity Council (NDC) is dedicated to advancing diversity and cultural humility in nursing to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to high-quality, patient-centered care.
  • NDC Mission: The Nursing Diversity Council (NDC) empowers nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to deliver culturally humble care and foster inclusion throughout the healthcare system. We serve as a hub for thought leadership and open dialogue, creating a safe space to explore and address diversity-related issues in nursing. We are committed to developing a nursing workforce that accurately represents the diversity and multifaceted aspects of the communities we serve, thereby enhancing healthcare outcomes for all.

Key Initiatives

The Nurse Diversity Council focuses on:

  • Increasing Diversity in Nursing: Working to close the healthcare disparity gap by promoting diversity across the nursing workforce.
  • Culturally Humble Care: Encouraging nurses to adopt culturally humble practices in their daily work.
  • Inclusive Workforce Development: Supporting programs and initiatives that prepare nurses to care for Pennsylvania’s increasingly diverse population.

Goals and Activities

  • Goal 1: Centralize and Share Diversity-Focused Workforce Development Resources
    • Curate a centralized hub to collect and organize events and survey feedback on activities, partners, and organizations for future engagement.
    • Compile and share contact information for workforce development programs to facilitate collaboration and idea-sharing.
    • Highlight successful programs that provide tools for career development conversations.
  • Goal 2: Strengthen Nursing Leadership Through an Equity-Focused Framework
    • Introduce and promote a leadership model aligned with the ANA framework to support culturally humble and equitable nursing leadership.
    • Engage nursing leaders and stakeholders to integrate diversity-centered leadership principles into workforce development initiatives.
  • Goal 3: Expand and Strengthen the Nurse Diversity Council and Mentorship Programs
    • Grow partnerships within the Nurse Diversity Council to expand mentorship programs across Pennsylvania,
    • Encourage collaboration between participating organizations to improve mentorship opportunities and avoid siloed efforts.
    • Increase accountability measures by setting clear expectations for engagement and tracking mentorship program outcomes.

Embracing Gracious Space

The Nurse Diversity Council is built on the philosophy of Gracious Space—a spirit of openness and respect. We believe in “inviting the stranger” by welcoming new perspectives and embracing “learning in public,” which means listening with an open mind and being willing to adjust our viewpoints. This framework helps us create an environment where meaningful, inclusive conversations about diversity can thrive.

Join the Nurse Diversity Council

We invite healthcare professionals and nursing students from all backgrounds across Pennsylvania to join the NDC. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with diverse leaders and professionals in the nursing and healthcare fields. Our members meet once a month via virtual conference to share updates, discuss progress, and drive forward action plans to promote diversity and inclusion in nursing.

Why Join?

  • Collaborate with like-minded professionals passionate about diversity.
  • Contribute to a more inclusive and culturally competent nursing workforce.
  • Share and gain insights from colleagues across Pennsylvania.

To join, please contact PA-NWC Assistant Director, Zaharaa Davood at .

Membership Details

As members of the Nurse Diversity Council, we embrace the spirit of inviting diverse perspectives and learning from each other, fostering an environment of creativity, growth, and mutual respect.

Open to anyone in Pennsylvania who is committed to fostering diversity in healthcare.

Meetings are held virtually once a month, lasting one hour.

Interested in Sharing Your Work? 

We’re always seeking members and guest presenters to highlight meaningful initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. Presenting at an NDC meeting is a great way to showcase your organization’s impact, share best practices, and connect with like-minded peers. We’d love to hear from you!

Presentation Details:

  • Timeframe: 15–20 minutes
  • Introduction: Share your organization’s name, mission, and vision, along with your role and connection to the organization.
  • Organizational Overview: Provide a brief snapshot of your key programs and the populations you serve, highlighting recent achievements or impact metrics.
  • Spotlight Programs/Projects: Showcase specific initiatives aligned with NDC’s mission, including success stories or notable outcomes.
  • Upcoming Opportunities: Share events, workshops, or ways for members to get involved.
  • We encourage you to leave time for questions and discussions on potential collaborations. Feel free to include visuals or share materials in advance for distribution.

If you’re interested in presenting or learning more, please contact PA-NWC Assistant Director, Zaharaa Davood at .

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