HPCC HPNA DEIB Style Guide
The HPCC and HPNA organizations worked together to update the DEIB Style guide that was created in 2022. This style guide was structured by the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guide for Bias-Free Language. It attempts to answer common questions and provide thoughtful guidance on topics that may arise when creating or editing content.
HPCC and HPNA welcome credentialing organizations, professional associations, and other interested stakeholders to download and incorporate this document into similar DEIB organizational initiatives. We hope that the Style Guide will be a valuable resource for many organizations and a potential catalyst for larger DEIB conversations. We welcome feedback on the Style Guide. Please submit feedback or comments here. HPCC will regularly review these comments and work to improve the Style Guide moving into the future.
HPCC HPNA DEIB Style GuideCommitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
In June 2023, the HPCC Board of Directors initiated a DIF analysis of data from the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) program, which has the largest number of certificants, allowing for the review and analysis of statistically significant data. One of the goals of the DIF analysis is to identify potential bias in exam questions. The analysis, using Item Response Theory (IRT), also includes the identification of DIF. An item is identified as having DIF if candidates of different demographic groups (race, gender, etc.) who had the same overall test performance differed in their probability of answering a specific exam item correctly.
In 2023 and 2024, the HPCC staff worked with their testing vendor (PSI) to remove exam questions identified through the analysis as having DIF, either positive or negative, from our current exams. The HPCC DEIB Committee and other stakeholder groups reviewed the items identified by the DIF analysis. Test questions that were felt to be biased were removed.
Members of the HPCC Examination Development Committees (EDCs) now regularly review pretest and exam questions for inclusive language, using the DEIB Style Guide as a resource, to ensure they are free from stereotypes, overt and subtle discrimination, and negative messages. Ongoing review of language included in exam items enables HPCC to offer examinations that are culturally aware and inclusive. This work continues to be a focus for HPCC’s EDCs and will be prioritized during future exam development efforts.
HPCC is committed to DEIB and representative participation in all its endeavors, including volunteer opportunities. Invitations for all volunteer opportunities are sent to current certificants, and the staff takes great care in reviewing applications to include volunteers from various demographic and geographic backgrounds. Additionally, targeted outreach to underrepresented certificants and stakeholder populations continues to be a focus area of the organization.
Members of the HPCC Examination Development Committees (EDCs) regularly review pretest and exam questions for inclusive language, using the DEIB Style Guide as a resource, to ensure they are free from stereotypes, overt and subtle discrimination, and negative messages. Ongoing review of language included in exam items enables HPCC to offer examinations that are culturally aware and inclusive. This work continues to be a focus for HPCC’s EDCs and will be prioritized during future exam development efforts.
HPCC acknowledges that there is significant work ahead and is committed to the continued growth of the DEIB Committee, evaluation of comprehensive differential analysis, efforts to advocate for diversity within HPCC’s volunteer committees, and transparent exam development processes. Progress on these initiatives is ongoing. HPCC is committed to immediate and long-term measurable improvement and is confident that the results will help the entire organization move forward into a more inclusive future.
Learn more about the purpose, mission, vision, and strategic initiatives of the HPCC DEIB Committee.
DEIB Task Force CharterHPCC DEIB Timeline of Events
Role of the DEIB Committee
The purpose of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee is to assist and advise the HPCC Board in identifying internal and external barriers to achieving certification and providing opportunities to alleviate disparities and remove systematic biases.
Committee Mission: To promote, monitor, and evaluate the organization’s progress toward the development of a culture and processes that prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Committee Vision: A world in which those providing care as well as those receiving care, including historically marginalized populations, have the best available resources and support.
Call for Submissions
Committee members are invited to submit articles or announcements to be featured in this section. Please email your submissions here.