Rutgers University is one of the most diverse universities
in the United States. The pride in that diversity, at all levels from our
leadership to our students, drives our commitment to diversity, equity,
inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Rutgers' diversity
goal
is to "prepare tomorrow's leaders for a world that is ever less homogenous and
ever more challenged by the task of connecting across differences to build
community, solve problems, and ensure prosperity. Rutgers considers diversity
to be necessary to foster the cultural competencies, resilience, and openness
to dialogue that promote the intellectual growth and intergroup understanding
that are essential for success in the classroom, the university community, and
society at large." That goal is supported by the
University's diversity strategic plan and plans developed
by each of the four chancellor-led units, and the schools within those units.
The
School
of Nursing's diversity strategic plan falls under Rutgers Health's plan.
Rutgers School of Nursing is committed to creating and
cultivating an environment that is not only equitable and diverse but is also
actively anti-racist and anti-biased in our institutional practices,
classrooms, curricula, and daily interactions. We are intentionally cultivating
a community of diversity and inclusion within the School. In other words, we
want diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to be valued principles that
manifest themselves from the inside out -- from the top down. In this pursuit,
we don't just want to look excellent; we want to be
excellent -- through putting intent to action.
In July 2020, the
School put forward a three-pronged approach to combating racism and bias with
initiatives that included:
- The
formation of the Dean's
Committee on Anti-Racism and Anti-Bias
- The
implementation of "Impact
Dialogue Circles" -- a series of listening sessions with faculty, staff,
and students designed to listen to the community and implement action
based on feedback
- The
development of an anonymous
digital hotline to report incidences of racism and bias
directly to the dean.
The School of Nursing curriculum integrates the diversity of
patients and the environment in which our students will practice. Additionally,
we actively attract a diverse study body that demands and contributes to a
culturally informed curriculum. As evidenced by consistently graduating classes
that are ethnically/racially diverse, speak English as a second language, and
go on to work in underserved communities, the School of Nursing regularly
graduates students that reflect the diversity of the state population and its
communities' needs.
The School of Nursing has been acknowledged for its work in
this arena. The School received the Annual American Association for Men in
Nursing's Best Schools for Men in Nursing Award six years in a row (2018-23).
In both 2022 and 2023, the School received the Health Professions Higher
Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity
magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher
education. The HEED award is the only national award that recognizes and promotes
awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education.
Nationally, just 10 colleges and schools of nursing received the award.
About the School of Nursing 
