Culture and Climate: Factors That Influence the Academic Success of African American Students in Prelicensure Nursing Education.

BACKGROUND

Despite numerous calls to diversify the nursing workforce, little progress has been made in increasing the numbers of African American graduates from prelicensure nursing programs, thus widening the diversity gap in the number of African Americans who enter the RN workforce.

METHOD

An integrative literature review was conducted to determine whether, from the students' perspective, the institutional climate and culture influenced their academic success.

RESULTS

Themes of Alienation and Isolation, Persistent Determination, and Difficulty Seeking Help emerged as having an influence on students' academic success.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of this review, professional development programs on topics such as implicit bias, microaggressions, and other unintentional and unconscious behaviors are recommended.