Publication Date
Spring 2025
Degree Type
Doctoral Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Michelle DeCoux Hampton
Keywords
Cultural awareness, Mentoring, Diversity, Leadership, Management
Abstract
Background: Mentoring programs in healthcare organizations can establish clear pathways for advancement through various management and leadership levels to senior-level positions. While mentoring develops leaders, many healthcare organizations do not offer mentoring programs that address unique issues experienced by members of racially and ethnically underrepresented groups. A study was conducted using a single-group, repeated-measures design to assess the impact of an intervention aimed at improving mentor attitudes, behaviors, and confidence regarding cultural awareness in the mentoring relationships of healthcare leaders. Methods: The study was conducted in a large California healthcare organization. The Cultural Diversity Awareness related to Race/Ethnicity (CDA-R/E) subscales for mentors were used to assess mentor attitudes, behaviors, and confidence related to mentoring. The CDA-R/E surveys were conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and six weeks later. The interventions consisted of two workshop sessions. The first was conducted virtually, and the second was held in person. Sessions introduced the concepts and relevance of culturally aware mentoring (CAM) practices and provided training on initiating diversity-related discussions with mentees from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Results: There were 17 healthcare leader participants with different racial and ethnic backgrounds who acted as mentors for leadership development. The study demonstrated significant short-term improvement in attitudes and confidence after CDA training; only improvement in attitudes was sustained after six weeks. However, there was no significant shift in mentor behaviors. Conclusions: Incorporating CDA training into mentoring curricula and developing strategies that focus on the mentor’s attitude, behavior, and confidence with engaging in diversity-related discussions may confidence, preparedness, and willingness to pursue higher-level leadership positions.
Recommended Citation
Burris, Deidra R., "Cross Cultural Mentoring: Including Diversity Awareness Strategies into Healthcare Leadership Mentor Curriculum to Support Career Advancement of Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups" (2025). Doctoral Projects. 191.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.ueu8-vr6b
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_doctoral/191
