University of Michigan-Flint Initiatives for Nursing Diversity (UMFIND)
Background
In 2005, the University of Michigan-Flint School of Health Professions & Studies was awarded a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant entitled University of Michigan-Flint Initiatives for Nursing Diversity (UMFIND) is designed to increase the level of diversity and cultural competence in Flint's nursing workforce. Selected participants for UMFIND programming will receive an array of personal, professional, and academic enrichment services to facilitate their admission, progression, and enrollment to the BSN program. Activities at the high school level will motivate disadvantaged/minority students to pursue a career in nursing, and equip them for successful application and enrollment in nursing programs. The following pre-college and college programming have been established to accomplish these goals.
Pre-College Programs
Future Nurses Club: A six week (per semester) after-school program in which University of Michigan-Flint Bachelor of Science nursing students facilitate weekly information sessions with correlating hands on activities about various aspects of the nursing career at select high schools within the Genesee Intermediate School District.
Summer Program
Future Nurses Institute: A six week summer program for 9th-12th grade students from the Genesee Intermediate School District designed to increase student's awareness of the nursing profession and enhance their ability to successfully compete for admission into professional nursing education programs. Selected participants will participate in a full day of academic enrichment and professional development sessions from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Selected program participants will receive a stipend of $35.00 per day of participation. For more information about the FNI summer programs click here. To download an application for the FNI Summer Program click here.
College Programs
UM-FIND Pre-Nursing Cohort: The UM-FIND Program Manager will identify, recruit and track eligible students to participate in the UM-FIND Pre-nursing Cohort Early Assurance Program. The UM-FIND Pre-Nursing Cohort BSN Early Assurance Program is designed to provide full time participants with intensive support services and help determine individual strengths and challenges regarding academic, personal and career goals. Strategies will include: academic advising, development of individualized educational plans for success, academic monitoring, BSN application counseling, programming to support personal/leadership/professional development, activities promoting cultural competence and referrals to the ACTS Mentoring program, university and community resources. All participants must meet UM-FIND eligibility and admission requirements. To review these requirements, click here.
UM-FIND Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Cohort: The UM-FIND Nurse Education Case Manager will identify, recruit and track eligible students enrolled into UM-Flint's BSN, ASD, and RN/BSN program to participate in the UM-FIND BSN Cohort. The UM-FIND BSN Cohort is designed to provide full time participants with intensive support services to determine individual strengths and challenges for attaining academic, personal and career goals. Strategies include development of individualized strength based Plans for Success, tutoring, ACTS mentoring assistance, supplemental/sequential developmental advising, referrals to university/community support services, leadership development enrichment activities, NCLEX preparation and ongoing academic monitoring. All participants must meet UM-FIND eligibility and admission requirements.
Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction: The BSN program requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for admission overall and in select prerequisite coursework. UM-FIND staff will work collaboratively with the University of Michigan-Flint's Student Development Center in offering pre-nursing and BSN cohort participants with individual tutoring, study skills sessions, and supplemental instruction.
Financial Assistance: Full time UM-FIND Pre-Nursing Cohort BSN Early Assurance Program and BSN cohort participants will receive a stipend OR scholarship to support added expenses of the pre-nursing or BSN program. Stipends/scholarships will help alleviate the financial burdens that prevent minority/disadvantaged students from progressing through pre-nursing coursework and BSN program completion. Only students enrolled full time in UM-FIND's pre-nursing or BSN cohort are eligible to receive financial assistance.
What are UM-FIND's Eligibility Requirements?
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Enrolled UM-Flint Student
2. Meet both of the following criteria:
a. U.S. Citizen
b. Disadvantaged:
Educationally Disadvantaged for the purpose of this grant is defined as students that meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Are from a high school that at the time of attendance had scores on the math and science sections of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test that are at least 25% below the state average
2. Are from a high school that at the time of attendance had at least 30% of enrolled students are eligible for the Free Breakfast, Lunch or Milk Program.
3. Are the first generation in their immediate family to attend college
OR
Economically disadvantaged-For the purpose of this grant, students will be classified as economically disadvantaged if their Earned Family Contribution (EFC) as indicated on current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (fafsa) report is 4800 or below.
Where can I find out more about UM-FIND?
Complete a UM-FIND interest form by clicking here: student interest form. You may also call W. KaNeesha Allen at (810) 237-6576 or email: wiallen@umflint.edu
"Being involved in a program that is targeted towards my success has been instrumental in my achievements in the BSN level. One of the items that I have utilized in the UMFIND program is the mentor service, which provides educational and emotional support. The program also has key personnel in the Nursing Department that are involved in UMFIND program, that are very supportive in my personal pursuit of a nursing degree.” -Thomas Stewart, BSN Nursing Student Graduate