Heading into the holiday season can often become a joyful and yet stressful time. As our nation continues to address issues of social justice and health equity, while still navigating the pandemic, we understand that there are challenges outside of school that impact your day-to-day life.
Events in 2020 served as an accelerator to strengthen our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. At Research College of Nursing, we are committed to intentionally providing a safe environment for diversity that allows equitable access to opportunities and resources for individuals to thrive. While by no means an exhaustive list, we recognize a few initiatives.
- Our college faculty, staff and students participate in monthly Diversity Equity & Inclusion meetings which foster strategic DEI efforts and conversations across the organization.
- RCoN volunteers partnered with the local chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) to enhance vaccine confidence in the Latinx community.
- Completed the first of several Safe Zone trainings which creates effective LGBTQ+ awareness and ally training among students, faculty and staff; with plans to have all college employees trained by May 2022.
- RCoN is sponsoring a cohort of staff and faculty to complete a graduate level certificate (Inclusion & Belonging) awarded by Avila University. This 12-month program will examine college policies and practices to help build organizational culture that is truly aware and inclusive.
As we reflect on a year that required so much from so many of you, we are tremendously grateful to the members of our RCoN family. Throughout the pandemic we have shown up for our students, for our communities and for each other.
If you find yourself in need of additional support through any point in your journey, we encourage you to utilize the resources available to you through Research College of Nursing.
- All students have 24/7 access to WellConnect. This free, confidential service is designed to help you succeed through counseling, life skills, financial and legal consultation.
- Faculty and staff have access to the HCA Healthcare employee assistance program. Log into HCAhranswers.com to get your passcode to Optum Wellbeing Support, a free 24/7 resource to help you live and work well.
Please remember you don’t have to handle everything on your own.