Cultural Diversity & Outcomes Data

Week 4: July 12- July 18th

This week I accompanied my preceptor to a diversity action committee meeting (DAC). The agenda included discussion of the role of this committee of less than 20 people affecting the system culture of a 14 hospital corporation. Each hospital has their own (DAC) in various stages of functioning. The system wide diversity action team made up of two representatives from each facility met and discussed goals and progress for diversity in action.

Our facility is apparently leading the charge in creating a diverse culture. Now this team of people are taking responsibility of leading the other facilities in adapting their cultures. While acknowledging that their is still work to do at "home", these people are willing to act as change agents. This demonstration of professionalism was very inspiring. They took ownership of something that others could have seen as far removed. Made me grateful to work at this facility and to be part of such a great group of professionals.

I also assisted in compiling a spreadsheet of outcomes data for a sister facility. The mobile units had participated in a community outreach and the nurses involved were investigating the effectiveness of the program. We compiled data related to zip code, ethnicity, age, and follow up. The nurses were then planning on directing future health screenings based on the data. I appreciated the fact that they were using data to determine the communities needs.

All and all a great week of exemplary examples of professionalism in nursing.

July 13th: 8 hours
July 15th: 8 hours
Total: 40/60 hours