CVS Health creates strategic partnerships with two multicultural nursing associations

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - CVS Health on Tuesday announced strategic partnerships with two leading national organizations whose mission is to advance the multicultural nursing populations in the United States: the National Black Nurses Association and the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

 

Through these newly formed alliances, CVS Health will establish workforce development programs and strategies that facilitate multicultural talent acquisition to further develop the company's own diverse nursing populations through education, training and colleague engagement. CVS Health supports a broad nursing workforce that includes nurse practitioners who see patients through the company's MinuteClinic network; nurse patient care specialists who serve the company's specialty patients; pulmonary arterial hypertension nurses who provide in-home education and infused medication therapies; and patient education nurses who deliver disease education and case management to patients over the phone.

 

Additionally, these partnerships will enable CVS Health to increase the number of internships and scholarships that the company extends to multicultural candidates.

 

"At CVS Health, we recognize the strong connection between a culturally diverse nursing workforce and the ability to provide quality, culturally competent patient care," stated David Casey, VP workforce strategies and chief diversity officer at CVS Health. "We value the multicultural communities, customers and patients we serve and we look forward to working closely with NBNA and NAHN, as we continue to help bridge the current nursing shortage in the United States and enhance access to quality care to underserved populations."

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than one million open positions for registered nurses across the country by 2022. Moreover, while U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that ethnic minority groups account for 37% of the U.S. population, industry research shows that nurses from minority backgrounds represent only 19% of the RN workforce, with African-American and Hispanic nurses representing 6% and 3%, respectively.

 

"CVS Health and NBNA share the common goal of supporting the development of African American nurses which is reflective of our nation's diversity," said Eric Williams, president, NBNA. "This new partnership will allow our two organizations to work collaboratively to increase access to care and improve the health of the communities we serve."

 

"We're grateful to CVS Health for partnering with NAHN to help achieve our mission of improving the quality of health care for Hispanic consumers," added Celia Besore, executive director, NAHN. "We look forward to working together to provide equal access to educational, professional and economic opportunities for Hispanic nurses in our country."