The Caring for Our Own Program

Abstract

Background: Research has identified workforce diversification as influential in improving health outcomes. The Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) set out to achieve classroom and workforce parity for rural Native American nurses and communities. Purpose: In this study, we report quantitative results of the first 20 years of the CO-OP and explore the extent to which the CO-OP model influenced degree completion for Native American students. Approach: The CO-OP employs a 4-pillar program model where sense of place, financial security, academic readiness, and social connection empower students as they progress. One hundred twenty-one Native American students have earned nursing degrees since inception. In addition, more than 10% of CO-OP undergraduates have returned to become nurse practitioners. Conclusions: The CO-OP model replicated elsewhere may also succeed by adapting key concepts in that context to achieve health equity.

Culturally Safe Mentoring for American Indian Nursing Students

“…Historical events in the United States have had impacts that persist in American Indian communities today, including health disparities and psychosocial inequities (Evans-Campbell, 2008;Joo-Castro & Emerson, 2020;Paradies, 2016;Solomon et al, 2022). Examples of relevant psychosocial and/or health challenges that American Indian students may experience include financial insecurity, homelessness or housing shortage, unemployment, chronic illness, mental illness, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, substance use, marginalization, feelings of disconnection and invisibility, low self-esteem, stress, feelings of guilt for being away from family or cultural duties, little or no social support, and racism and discrimination (Adynski et al, 2023;Baez & Allison-Baez, 2023;Larsson & Johnson, 2022). These challenges become risk factors that may disrupt student success and are often shared familial and intergenerational experiences.…”