Advisor

Hummel, Faye I.

Committee Member

Henry, Melissa

Committee Member

Wacker, Robbyn

Committee Member

Allen, David G

Department

Nursing

Institution

University of Northern Colorado

Type of Resources

Text

Place of Publication

Greeley (Colo.)

Publisher

University of Northern Colorado

Date Created

12-1-2009

Genre

Thesis

Extent

147 pages

Digital Origin

Born digital

Description

This study examined the existence of implicit racial bias in nursing faculty using the Implicit Association Test (IAT). It was conducted within a critical race theory framework where race was seen as a permanent, pervasive, and systemic condition, not an individual process. The study was fueled by data showing continued disparate academic and NCLEX-RN pass rates between students of color and White nursing students. In exploring why these disparities continue to exist in spite of increased efforts at recruitment and support, this study used the Skin-Tone Implicit Association Test to determine if racial bias might be a factor. Baccalaureate nursing faculty from diverse institutions (size, public/private, geographic area) completed the Skin-Tone IAT, explicit measures of bias, and a demographic questionnaire. Results showed statistically significant levels of implicit racial bias in nursing faculty and statistically significant differences between measures of implicit bias and explicit measures of bias. Measures of implicit bias and explicit measures of bias in nursing faculty did not significantly differ from data gathered from a sample of over 121,000 people who completed both surveys on the public IAT website. Establishing the existence of racial bias in nursing education leads to important discussions about the Whiteness of nursing and nursing education. This study concluded with concrete steps that could be taken to create a more welcoming and power-balanced environment for nursing students of color. These changes--occurring at the interpersonal, departmental, and institutional level--could lead to greater student success and a transformation of nursing education.

Notes

Dean's Citation for Outstanding Dissertation

Degree type

PhD

Degree Name

Doctoral

Language

English

Local Identifiers

Fitzsimmons_unco_0161N_10022

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

COinS