In recognition of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) has received the INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award and the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) designation as a Best School for Men in Nursing. The school has received the HEED award for four consecutive years, and the AAMN award for three.
“These recognitions speak to the fact that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not simply phrases we talk about at our school, but an intentional way of being,” says Sarah L. Szanton, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of JHSON. “We know there is more work to do, but I am proud that our community embraces diversity and recognizes that influencing in this sphere starts right here at home in our school.”
JHSON’s strategic plan and mission revolve around bringing together different perspectives, experiences, genders, and backgrounds in order to build strong science, communities, and an impactful nursing profession. It approaches DEI as a long-term investment that is lived out in the everyday life of the school. Forty-five percent of students and 33 percent of faculty are from racial or ethnic minorities, and this last year, the school saw a 37 percent increase in men enrolled in its master’s programs.
To ensure an inclusive environment, JHSON’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides strategic vision and leadership for diversity and inclusion activities and serves as a resource for faculty, staff, and students to address areas of success and issues of concern related to DEI.
JHSON also sees teaching and learning as pathways to achieving DEI. An educational committee addresses biases, examines teaching and learning practices, and creates resources specific to DEI. They also conducted a recent review of required nursing textbooks to examine how information regarding health of underrepresented racial, ethnic, and LGBTQI+ groups was presented and rationalized.
In addition, JHSON recently received an anonymous gift to support its Diversity Signature Initiative, which aims to help attract racial, ethnic, and gender minority applicants and to reduce financial barriers for those who want to attend the school.
“Our JHSON community is doing the important work of bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion to the forefront and guiding our profession to do the same,” says Gloria Ramsey, JD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion. “There is much to be gained when we stand together as a community to embrace these values and model the profession’s commitment to health equity and social justice. We not only transform the way we look at education but provide better health outcomes for our world.”
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Located in Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is a globally-recognized leader in nursing education, research, and practice. In U.S. News & World Report rankings, the school is No. 1 nationally for its master’s programs, and No. 2 for DNP programs and its online MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership options. JHSON is ranked No. 1 for total NIH funding among schools of nursing for fiscal year 2020. In addition, the school is ranked by QS World University as the No. 3 nursing school in the world, No.1 by College Choice for its master’s program, and No. 1 by NursingSchoolHub.com for its DNP program. For more information, visit www.nursing.jhu.edu.
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