In May 2020, Danielle McCamey, DNP, founded DNPs of Color (DOC), a national nonprofit organization that increases opportunities for networking, mentorship, and diversity advocacy in doctoral studies, clinical practice, and leadership for DNPs of color.
“DNPs of Color was created to provide a community that can support students and newly ‘minted’ [graduates], and ultimately help increase diversity in doctoral studies. We seek to inspire, empower, and transform the landscape of nursing practice, academia, and health care outcomes in our communities,” Dr McCamey said in a press release from her alma mater, Georgetown University.1
By establishing virtual communities of nurses of color who are working toward or have completed their doctoral degree, Dr McCamey hopes to address underrepresentation of minority DNPs in clinical practice, academia, and leadership. Dr McCamey stated that she intends to harness the power of DOC to transform the landscape of the nursing field into a more diverse environment with improved patient-provider relationships, patient satisfaction, and health care outcomes.1
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DOC plans to host events that reinforce the organization’s mission to provide networking, mentorship and advocacy opportunities to DNPs who belong to racial and ethnic minority groups. In August, DOC hosted a virtual commencement ceremony for the class of 2020.
There are currently 7 members on DOC’s inaugural Board of Directors, including Dr McCamey, who serves as CEO. Ethlyn McQueen Gibson, DNP, serves as Vice President; on DOC’s website, she shares her thoughts on the importance of building a diverse workforce through providing DNPs of color a chance to be present during important policy decisions. LaDonna Brown, DNP, is treasurer of DOC and alumna of Vanderbilt University. Toni Murray, DNP, serves as secretary and is an alumna of the University of Maryland.
Daisy Medina-Kreppein, DNP, Jenna Benyounes, DNP, and Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD, ACNP-BC, are all members of the Board of Directors. Dr Akintade is an assistant professor and associate dean of the University of Maryland’s Master of Science in Nursing Program; the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) shared details about Dr Akintade’s new role in a press release.2
The university stated that Dr Akintade’s role on the DOC Board of Directors will allow him to improve his ability to advocate for minority nurses at UMSON, and across the nation. There are 10% more DNP students who identify as members of a minority ethnic or racial group (46%) at UMSON than DNP students nationally (36%).2
Overall at UMSON, where nearly 2000 students are enrolled in baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral nursing programs, 49% of students identify as members of a minority ethnic or racial group; however, nationally, nurses who identify as members of a minority ethnic or racial group make up 19.2% of the registered nurse workforce.2
DOC notes on its website that minorities are currently underrepresented in US doctoral programs with respect to the general population. By serving as mentors and guides for nurses of color, DOC aims to address this disproportionality.
To learn more about DOC and get in touch with the organization, click here.
References
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Alumnae Begin New Non-Profit to Support DNPs of Color [news release]. Washington DC: Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies; May 11, 2020. https://nhs.georgetown.edu/news-story/mccamey-benyounes. Accessed August 27, 2020.
- Akintade Appointed to DNPs of Color Inaugural Board of Directors [news release]. Baltimore, MD: University of Maryland school of Nursing; August 21,2020. https://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/news-events/news/82120-akintade-dnps-of-color.php. Accessed August 31, 2020.
