Honors Theses and Capstones

Date Completed

Spring 2026

Abstract

Bias is a pervasive issue in healthcare. It affects all aspects of the healthcare system and affects patients primarily through their interactions with healthcare providers. This study aimed to identify if exposure to various patient populations reduced bias among participants and increased their understanding of the way bias impacts patients. Two participants were recruited from a baccalaureate nursing program course titled “Living with Mental Illness” to participate in a series of two-semi structured interviews to identify bias, perceptions of community-based care, and the growth from the beginning to the end of their clinical experiences. Results showed skill development, increased understanding of bias, and increased openness to new learning experiences. This study showed that cultivating compassionate, culturally competent, and advocacy-focused nurses is an important step to combatting the current impacts of bias in the healthcare system.

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Samantha Arnold

College or School

CHHS

Department or Program

School of Nursing

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

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