Pre-Entry & Retention Opportunities for Undergraduate Diversity (PROUD)

About the Program

Founded to increase diversity in nursing

Mennonite College of Nursing sees a need for diversity in the profession of nursing, and addressing that need starts with encouraging members of diverse populations to pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and then supporting those students throughout their journey at the university. To work toward this goal, in 2017, MCN formed PROUD.

Begun as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources – Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), PROUD is an organization that seeks to promote diversity in the nursing profession by recruiting and graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Support for BSN students at Illinois State University

To help students be successful in pursuing their nursing degree, the PROUD program provides extra support, including:

• Financial support – Scholarships and stipends for students who qualify under the HRSA federal guidelines
• Academic support – Study groups and tutoring sessions
• Peer support – Regular opportunities for social activities, creating a support system with other students and faculty
• Mentorship – PROUD students have mentors in place to further enhance their support system
• Professional development – Presentations on leadership and other topics are provided throughout the semester

Community outreach

PROUD also engages with the community by:

• Reaching out to middle school and high school students to increase their awareness of nursing as a career option
• Attending career fairs
• Hosting tours of Illinois State University's Nursing Simulation Lab
• Coordinating a summer nurse camp for high school students