A key goal of the Pennsylvania Action Coalition is to advance the educational preparation of the nursing workforce. Nursing education should encourage continued lifelong learning and include opportunities for seamless transitions to higher-degree programs. Increased educational opportunities allow nurses to further develop their skills in providing high-quality care, effectively communicate goals, and contribute to research and programming to advance healthcare safety.
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.
The NDC’s mission is to empower nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide culturally humble care and promote inclusion throughout the healthcare system. We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, improving healthcare outcomes for all.
The Nurse Diversity Council focuses on:
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.
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.
To join, please contact PA-NWC Assistant Director, Zaharaa Davood at .
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.
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:
If you’re interested in presenting or learning more, please contact PA-NWC Assistant Director, Zaharaa Davood at .
Learn About the Strategic Plan in Action
The Campaign for Action is a national campaign to transform health and healthcare through nursing. The Campaign for Action envisions a healthcare system where nurses contribute to the full extent of their capabilities. The goals for the Campaign for Action are based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine’s (now the National Academy of Medicine) Future of Nursing report.
The campaign is backed by the AARP Foundation, AARP, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Each state has an action coalition to mobilize nurses, health providers, consumers, educators, and businesses to strengthen nursing on multiple fronts.
The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report was published by the Institute of Medicine in October 2010. The report was the culmination of two years of research on how to transform the nursing profession. It identifies the nursing professional as a central component to improving the healthcare system, and provides evidence-based recommendations on training, education, professional leadership, and workforce policy. These recommendations aim to create a patient-centered healthcare system that relies on research and the transformative power of nursing to improve health across the country.
The National Academy of Medicine on May 11 released its much-anticipated report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Like its predecessor from 2010, this report will influence the direction of nursing and health care for years to come.
The report hones in on the problem of health disparities, rooted in centuries of injustice that will take substantive societal change to solve. Achieving health equity will require serious reflection on our identities and responsibilities as nurses, nurse champions and contributing members of society. Then we will need the willpower to turn that reflection into action.
Read the full report here: The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity
