Implicit Bias in Student Nurses

The purpose of this project was to identify student nurses' implicit bias across vulnerable populations in healthcare including age, weight, and mental illness. Implicit bias occurs when individuals have attitudes toward or treat people differently based on associated stereotypes without being consciously aware of this. This project surveyed student nurses at Rhode Island College in a quantitative fashion about implicit bias using the implicit association test (IAT) and qualitatively using a corresponding survey about explicit beliefs. The goal was to identify where nursing students bias lies and discuss the long term effects implicit bias has on their future as professionals in healthcare.