A Summer Professional Immersion in Nursing Program for Underrepresented Minority Undergraduate Students

Background: By 2044, more than 50% of the U.S. population will consist of ethnic/racial minorities. To facilitate optimal health, the projected nursing workforce should mirror this statistic. This pilot study examined the effects of a Summer Professional Immersion in Nursing Program (SPIN) on confidence in career decision making of underrepresented minority undergraduate students. The 4-week program exposed participants to various nursing experiences. Method: The Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale was administered pre- and post-SPIN to measure level of confidence in career decision making. Results: The sample included eight women, with an average age of 19.63 years (SD = 0.52). Comparative analysis was performed using a reliable change index. The pre- to post-SPIN change was 0.38, indicating a meaningful significant increase in confidence. Conclusion: SPIN is an example for nursing programs interested in attracting undergraduate underrepresented minority students. The program positively influenced self-efficacy toward career selection and may positively influence enrollment of underrepresented nurses in the future.