The need for American Indian Nurses
The need for increased numbers of American Indian nurses is based on:
- The belief that the percentage of each of the ethnic minorities in the general population should be reflected in the profession
- The prediction that the minority population will increase
- The shortage of American Indian nurses in the IHS
To view a brochure about the RAIN Program, click here
Rain Program Objectives
- Maintain support with networks within the American Indian and University communities
- Increase awareness of nursing as a career
- Identify and recruit American Indian individuals from the target area
- Increase the number of American Indian students retained and graduating from the College of Nursing at University of North Dakota
- Increase cultural awareness in faculty, staff, and students
RAIN Beginning
In the 1990 U.S. census, ethnic minorities represented 20 percent of the population. Tifft (1989) predicted that the percentage of minorities would increase to 35 percent by the year 2020. Currently, a disparity exists between the 0.8 percent of American Indians in the general population and the 0.4 percent of registered nurses who are American Indian (DHHS, 1988). They are the most under represented group of the total 8.3 percent ethnic minorities in the professions (DHHS). This shortage is evident in the Indian Health Service, which is the primary source of health care for American Indians. Audrey Koertvalyessy, past Director of the IHS Division of Nursing, stated in 1992 that only one-third of the registered nurses in IHS were American Indian. Student enrollment figures also reflect under representation of American Indians. The National League for Nursing (NLN) reported that in 1990-91 only 0.5 percent of students enrolled in baccalaureate and master's programs were American Indian (NLN, 1992). Prior to the RAIN program in the Fall of 1990, American Indians represented 2 percent of the total UND enrollment and 4 percent of UND College of Nursing enrollment. In Fall 1994, the percentage in the total UND enrollment increased to 2.8 percent and in the UND College of Nursing to 10 percent. This is evidence that the RAIN Program has made an impact.
In the Fall of 1990, the University of North Dakota College of Nursing received funding for a project to increase the number of nurses prepared to provide health care to Indian people. The Recruitment/Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) Program (#ISD000396) was one of four projects funded under Section 112 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 1988 Amendment, Public Law 100-713, 25 USC 1616e. This law, through the Indian Health Services (IHS) Division of Nursing, provides grants to educational institutions to increase the number of nurses, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners delivering health care services to Indians. In 1992, the RAIN Project was elevated to program status by passage of Senate Bill 2412. This established the Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs at UND with authorization until the Year 2000. This was done in honor of late North Dakota Senator, Quentin N. Burdick, who was a strong advocate for the Indian people. The Program encompasses the RAIN Program, the Indians into Medicine (INMED) Program and the Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education (INPSYDE) Program.
The purpose of the Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs is directly linked to the "fulfillment of (the Nation's) special responsibilities and legal obligation to the American Indian People" through the enhancement of educational opportunities for American Indians pursuing degrees in health professions. The provision of health services to American Indian people by providers who are from similar cultural backgrounds, knowledgeable of the socioeconomic realities of reservation living, and who are committed to the improvement of health in their home communities is the long-term expected outcome of the Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs collectively working together to achieve this end.
RAIN Program Facts
Nursing at UND...
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1951: First nursing degrees awarded from the University of North Dakota (UND)
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Prior to RAIN (1990): 19 American Indian students graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from UND
Over 20 years of RAIN...
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In 1990 the Recruitment/Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) Project was one of four projects funded under Section 112 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, through the IHS Division of Nursing to increase the number of nurses prepared to provide health care to Indian people
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In 1992 the RAIN Project was elevated to program status by passage of Senate Bill 2412. This established the Quentin N. Burdick Indians into Nursing Program
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In 1995 the RAIN Program celebrated its 1st group of American Indian Master of Science (MS) graduates
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In 2002 UND celebrated its 100th American Indian BSN graduate
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Through 2011 The RAIN Program has graduated...
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154 American Indian nurses with their BSN and
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36 American Indian nurses with their MS
Overall
- UND has awarded 207 nursing degrees to 186 American Indians
- 4 American Indian graduates from UND have went on to earn their PhDs in Nursing
- RAIN Program grant funding from federal agencies has brought over $7.8 million dollars to UND
RAIN Program Graduates are..
- North Dakota Nurses: 77 of the 97 (79%) American Indian Registered Nurses in North Dakota are RAIN graduates
- American Indian Nurse Leaders Throughout the Nation: Directors of Nursing, Nurse Consultants, and members of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
RAIN Program Retentions Strategies Include
- Providing academic monitoring and advisement
- Providing mentors to American Indian nursing and pre-nursing students
- Assisting students in locating appropriate funding sources
- Promoting cultural identity by hosting an honor ceremony and traditional meal for graduates
- Promoting acceptance through a supportive environment and open door policy
Click here for a printable version of the RAIN Program Fact Sheet
Click here for the enrollment form
