- Hello. My name is Megan Dorrington.
I'm the ASCEND and Nurse
Residency Program Coordinator
at Akron Children's Hospital.
ASCEND stands for assuring
success with a commitment
to enhance nurse diversity.
And this program emphasizes the importance
of a diverse nursing
workforce that reflects
the communities that we serve.
Baccalaureate Nursing Students
from underrepresented groups
in nursing joined us for a pediatric
internship summer program.
Where we immersed them with
children and their families
in clinical experiences,
as well as professional
development activities.
And I've been so inspired by
the students that have joined
us in the program and
their journey thus far.
We've had ethnic and
racial minority students
bring unique perspectives to our program.
We've had male nursing students,
students with hearing
disabilities, single mothers,
first generation college students,
LGBTQ and veterans
participate in the program
and get hired into our nursing workforce.
We've had students overcome being homeless
and having transportation,
financial and language barriers
and other challenges that they've overcome
similar to what our patients and families
might experience.
It's been inspiring to read
their application essays.
And one in particular,
a male student wrote that
"Compassion has no gender bias".
And I'm often reminded of this statement,
every time we work with
our male nursing students
in the ASCEND Program.
We had 11 just last year.
We've had students present
on their own heritage
and experiences such as
caring for patients with
with an Amish background
and Muslim patients.
We had one student share
that this was the first time
that she felt like somebody
truly believed in her.
And I'm so glad that the ASCEND Program
brought this positive experience for her.
It's been a privilege to
serve the future of nursing
through this welcoming
and inclusive program.
And it's been a shining
highlight of my career thus far.
Happy 2020, year of the
nurse and the midwife.
Thank you for everything that
you do each and every day
to serve our patients, their families,
and the communities that we serve.
