Maximizing Effectiveness of the Holistic Admission Process

Abstract

The project aims to improve evidence and the use of data that will help universities enhance and expand a culturally sensitive, diverse and prepared health workforce with the goal of improving health and health equity in underserved urban communities. As leaders of Urban Universities for HEALTH, we are proud to present this report to our colleagues and the university community. University leaders have a unique ability to shape the health workforce through their admissions policies. The National Study on University Admissions in the Health Professions is the first to examine the impact of admissions strategies across multiple health professions on a national scale. This study supports the work of Urban Universities for HEALTH by providing new data regarding a promising admissions practice intended to improve diversity in the health workforce. We hope that university leaders and health professions deans will benefit from this study as they design their admissions processes to promote access to education in the health professions and increase success for all students. Insights from this report will also be of use to national health professions and higher education associations, federal agencies, and other organizations working to reduce health disparities and build a health workforce that better meets the needs of communities.

Holistic Admissions Review in Nursing Education: A Concept Analysis Using Rodgers’ Evolutionary Method

“…Nursing sources primarily described singular, group, and multiple mini-interview assessments in the holistic process (Roach et al, 2019; Scott & Zerwic, 2015; Wagner et al, 2020; Wros & Noone, 2018; Zerwic et al, 2018). Few nursing authors criticized the lack of reliability/validity or bias associated with interviews (Macduff et al, 2016; Wagner et al, 2020), though several described holistic review implementation barriers, including a lack of holistic review knowledge (Glazer et al, 2016), limited leadership support (Barton et al, 2017), lack of legal guidance (Barton et al, 2017; DeWitty, 2018; Glazer et al, 2016; Scott & Zerwic, 2015), and limited implementation resources (Barton et al, 2017; Glazer et al, 2016). In a study of deans of nursing, Glazer et al (2016) discovered concerns regarding backlash for denying admittance to metrically qualified students, whereas Zerwic et al (2018) found that interviewed applicants voiced concerns regarding the negative effects of not being part of a minority group.…”

Holistic Admission: What Is It? How Successful Has It Been in Nursing, and What Are the Possibilities?

“…According to Rosenberg (2019), “there is much evidence to support the use of interviews for making holistic decisions” (p. 671). Interviews were an opportunity for students to make a visit to the campus, meet future faculty, and were done individually over 30 min, in small groups, or as Multiple-Mini-Interviews (MMI) (Wagner, Maddox, Glazer, & Hittle, 2019) (a speed-dating format). Although interviews can be a timely and costly practice for faculty and the SON, none of the authors recommended giving up interviews as part of the HAR.…”

“…The CASPer uses ethical dilemma judgment-type questions where students write their responses (as opposed to choosing a multiple choice). MMI (Wagner et al, 2019) were also included in their HAR where applicants were further asked about their experiences and attributes. The authors (Davis et al, 2020) feel that by assessing for empathy and caring they are showing future students that these are valued attributes in the nursing profession and important underpinnings to social justice.…”

Admission characteristics that influence DNP students' first‐semester success: A retrospective study

“…Unlike other professions, nursing is relatively new to implementing this type of admission process 10 . Most of the literature found in nursing is aimed at implementing holistic admission practices to increase student diversity in undergraduate programs to match the diversity in the population 11–14 . However, very little consideration has been given to the merit of using holistic admission practices in doctoral‐level nursing education programs to address student retention.…”

“…10 Most of the literature found in nursing is aimed at implementing holistic admission practices to increase student diversity in undergraduate programs to match the diversity in the population. [11][12][13][14] However, very little consideration has been given to the merit of using holistic admission practices in doctoral-level nursing education programs to address student retention. Through a broader lens, holistic admission practices facilitate an individualized assessment of an applicant's capabilities of being successful in an academic program.…”