Mercy University Receives Grant To Help Eliminate Racism In Nursing

DOBBS FERRY, NY — Mercy University’s School of Nursing was awarded $20,000 by the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing to spearhead a program aimed at eliminating racism in nursing.

Mercy was one of 10 winning proposals selected from more than 130 submissions to receive part of the $200,000 in funding from the American Nurses Association to use toward their programming.

Kenya Beard, the dean of Mercy’s School of Nursing, said she appreciates being selected for the innovative award.

“The ANA’s support is a beacon of hope for the future of nursing education,” she said, adding that nurse educators have asked for guidance on addressing racism, interrupting implicit bias and advancing health equity.

A national survey of more than 5,600 nurses conducted by the commission shows that racism is an insidious problem within the profession. Nearly half of nurses agree there is “a lot” of racism in nursing.

With this grant, Mercy’s School of Nursing along with the other nine selected organizations will develop and work to implement evidence-informed strategies, programs and interventions aimed at dismantling institutional, structural and systemic racism in nursing.

Mercy will work with the commission throughout the year to optimize its program work and to regularly report on project status.