Exploring Inclusion by Creating Inclusion: A World Café Among Nurse Scientists

Abstract

Background:

The concept of inclusion within diversity, equity, and inclusion has broad meanings and implications and has not been explored in nursing through a World Café.

Purpose:

To describe the process and experiences of 9 nurse scientists who hosted a World Café focused on inclusion, to share participants’ insights, and to offer considerations to advance inclusion in nursing.

Approach:

We hosted and encouraged active participation in a World Café that focused on 7 inclusion topics in nursing during the 2024 Midwestern Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference. During the 90-min World Café, 40 participants (“members”) engaged in iterative rounds of small group dialogue, moving from table to table every 10 min and randomly changing groups. Table hosts welcomed new members, provided background information, and asked probing questions about topics related to inclusion. Members shared insights verbally and through creative expression using colored markers/pencils or craft supplies and creating images on paper tablecloths. Table hosts used notes, photographs of words and images from the paper tablecloths, and collective post-Café reflections to synthesize insights regarding inclusion.

Discoveries:

Across all topics, members stated that inclusion requires connecting as human beings, creating welcoming spaces, being open to others, and actively listening. Table hosts described the World Café process as engaging, invoking, and inspiring. Hosts found the World Café process itself to be inclusive, inviting diverse perspectives, and gleaning insights about inclusion in nursing. Considerations generated from this World Café offer tangible behaviors to promote inclusion across various nursing topics, roles, and settings.