title: Underrepresented students' perspectives on institutional climate during the application and admission process to nursing school.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing body of literature has focused on issues related to recruitment and retention to enhance diversity in nursing. This study was designed to identify barriers and supports encountered by underrepresented students when applying to nursing school.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two underrepresented baccalaureate nursing students participated in two focus groups. Applied thematic analysis was used to organize the data and identify major themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students expressed the importance of having (a) navigators in the offices of admissions and student affairs to provide encouragement, support, and information during the application process; (b) tailored programming for underrepresented students; (c) financial aid guidance; (d) timely feedback about admissions decisions; (e) a clear and easily navigated Web site; and (f) negotiation and acculturation to know the right things to do and say during the application and admissions process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings provide direction for developing programming and collaborations to enhance the institutional climate for underrepresented nursing applicants. [J Nurs Educ. 2015;54(5):261-269.].
authors.forename: Cheryl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Woods-Giscombe
authors.forename: Pamela Johnson
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rowsey
authors.forename: Shawn M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kneipp
authors.forename: Clint W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sheffield
authors.forename: Kayoll V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Galbraith
authors.forename: Sama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.forename: Tamryn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kowlowitz
authors.forename: G Rumay
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015279:Organizational Culture; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012579:Schools, Nursing; D012737:Sex Factors; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult