The Caring for Our Own Program: A Model for American Indian and Alaska Native Nursing Students to Practice, Manage, and Lead in Indian Country

Research has identified workforce diversification as influential in improving health outcomes. The Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) set out to achieve classroom and workforce parity for rural Native American nurses and communities. PURPOSE: In this study, we report quantitative results of the first 20 years of the CO-OP and explore the extent to which the CO-OP model influenced degree completion for Native American students. APPROACH: The CO-OP employs a 4-pillar program model where sense of place, financial security, academic readiness, and social connection empower students as they progress. One hundred twenty-one Native American students have earned nursing degrees since inception. In addition, more than 10% of CO-OP undergraduates have returned to become nurse practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: The CO-OP model replicated elsewhere may also succeed by adapting key concepts in that context to achieve health equity.