Recruitment and retention: The development of an action plan for African-American health professions students

This article presents results of a survey of African-American students enro lled in the colleges of medicine, dentistry, allied health, pharmacy, and n ursing at the University of Kentucky. The survey was designed to determine the students' perceptions of factors that affect recruitment, enrollment, a nd academic progress of African-American students. Fifty-three of seventy students responded to survey questions addressing re cruitment; admissions; and financial, social, personal, and academic suppor t. Over 50% of medical students decided by junior high to enter a health ca reer; only 15% of other students decided that early. The influence of a fam ily member was more important in student decisions to enter nursing or medi cine than in decisions by other students. Only 17% of medical students repo rted difficulty in locating sources of financial aid compared to 48% of tho se from other colleges. Perceptions regarding lack of social outlets were c onsistent among respondents from all colleges. Findings emphasize the impor tance of early exposure to the health professions, early outreach strategie s, ongoing financial assistance, and the importance of establishing social networks for African-American students enrolled in a majority institution. The survey results were used to develop an action plan for the offices of m inority affairs, student services, and academic affairs to address identifi ed problems and concerns.