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Funding Information

No funding sources were used for this project

Abstract

Purpose

To examine barriers and facilitators to nursing education among Native Americans and identify evidence-based strategies to increase the number of Native American nurses working in their local communities to address health disparities.

Background

Native Americans experience significantly higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, and lower life expectancies. Only 4% of registered nurses identify as Native American, with no growth despite increased funding for diversity in nursing education. This underrepresentation contributes to culturally insensitive care and persistent healthcare inequities stemming from historical marginalization and trauma.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases to identify peer-reviewed scholarly literature focused on barriers and facilitators to nursing education among Native Americans in the United States.

Findings

Among 167 articles identified, 34 met inclusion criteria, with minimal research conducted in the past five years. Major barriers included historical oppression, geographic isolation, resource limitations, cultural disconnect between Western nursing education and Indigenous values, a lack of role models, and persistent healthcare underfunding.

Recommendations

Successful interventions included: implementing culturally sensitive mentorship programs, creating culturally safe learning environments that incorporate Indigenous healing practices, developing mobile health training programs in partnership with tribal communities, integrating Native American theoretical frameworks into nursing curricula, establishing community partnerships for clinical placements in tribal settings, and providing targeted scholarships with service commitments to tribal communities.

Conclusion

Addressing the complex barriers facing Native American nursing students requires a holistic, culturally informed approach. Integrating Indigenous perspectives into nursing education can improve recruitment, retention, and graduation rates while developing a workforce equipped to provide culturally responsive care. Increasing Native American representation in nursing is essential to reducing health disparities and honoring the valuable contributions of Indigenous healing traditions to healthcare practice.

Key Words: Native American, Nursing Education, Health Disparities, Nursing Shortage, Access to Healthcare

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