Monica Germain, BSN, RN, CCRN, recently completed the Ravin Davidoff Health Equity Fellowship at Boston Medical Center, and shared her work with colleague Donna Stickney on "Diversifying the Nursing Workforce." The Boston Medical Center is assessing and revising their hiring practices to make sure equity is amplified. For example, instead of requiring a practicum prior to being hired, acknowledge those practicums can be very related to opportunities available at training programs and instead provide on site experience. Other revisions to hiring practices include prioritizing bilingualism in staff and modifying interview, making sure all hired value the equity the institution stands for. Furthermore, Monica discussed their new Nursing DEI council that provides ongoing DEI focused education for nurses. Looking to challenge your organizations hiring practices? Consider using these interview questions shared by Monica.

Last but not least, our own research subcommittee leader Ashlee Vance, PhD, MA, RN, RNC-NIC, Assistant Scientist, at Center for Health Policy & Health Services Research at Henry Ford Health, presented her project, titled "Nursing Program for Advancing Training in Health and Social Determinants (N-PATHS)" which was submitted as an R25 application to NINR (funding decision pending). This program aims to increase training and skills for nurses in social health factors.  For more information about this program, to create educational content, or to receive enrollment information for Dr. Vance's N-PATHS program, contact her at avance2@hfhs.org, or look for an official funding announcement on the NJC website and social media. Dr. Vance welcomes questions from those considering applying for a R25 grant. The R25 grant mechanism is designed to bolster the nursing community's position within health equity research and support nursing research training, and nursing-led SDOH projects and offered by several other NIH Institutes. Find linked details on the funding opportunity below.