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Issues
 California is experiencing a severe nursing
shortage. The current nursing work force is aging
and is not representative of the state’s ethnic
diversity. The Central Valley Nursing Diversity Work
Force Initiative is based on The California
Endowment’s belief that investing in a work force
that is more reflective of California’s diverse
population will improve access to affordable,
quality health care for underserved populations and
promotes fundamental improvements in health status
by:
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Developing the future work force from fast
growing minority populations; |
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Increasing the supply of providers who serve
in underserved areas who are more likely to
practice in underserved areas; |
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Improving social capital and building trust
between patients and providers based on
research that many patients feel more
comfortable with providers who share similar
backgrounds; |
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Increasing cultural competency by exposing
health professionals to more diverse
environments;
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And decreasing disparities in health status. |
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