Diversity Initiatives
BUILDING DIVERSITY
HealthForce Minnesota is a collaborative partnership of education, industry and community that was created to increase the number and expand the diversity of healthcare workers; to integrate health science education practice and research; and to build capacity for education and industry to collaborate to enhance patient care. With this statement, HealthForce Minnesota continues to support diversity and create opportunities to expand this initiative. Below are a few sample projects currently being implemented to support diversity and healthcare.
Increasing Diversity in Nursing Education
This project, funded by HealthForce Minnesota in both 2006 and 2007 fiscal years, focuses on recruiting diverse student populations for nursing professions. A partnership between Winona State University, Rochester Community and Technical College, and Rochester Public schools, the project is recruiting and retaining diverse high school students enrolled in Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) into an accelerated pilot post secondary nursing program. This accelerated pilot program allows students to complete their Associate Degree in Nursing in two years post high school graduation and their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in three years. read full project description
Transitioning Healthcare Licenses
Transitioning Healthcare Licenses is an initiative designed by Workforce Development, Inc. to assist licensed foreign healthcare workers into a program where their licensure can be transferred and they can meet the requirements of the county or state agency responsible for regulation. read full project description
Pre-CNA Healthcare Academy
The Pre-Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) Healthcare Academy prepares and provides training for low-wage incumbent workers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in community based settings to help them access higher-skilled, higher wage healthcare careers. This project is also supported by Workforce Development, Inc. and funded through HealthForce Minnesota grant monies. read full project description
As the need for diverse populations within health related fields increase, HealthForce Minnesota will continue to collaborate and create initiatives to support diversity.