Discerning success of indigenous health students in community-based programs

Post-secondary educational institutions have partnered with Indigenous groups to provide community-based healthcare programs. In a qualitative study, eight participants from a northern British Columbia community were interviewed about their descriptions of success, and its influencing factors in a community-based healthcare program. The core theme of courage and categorical themes of nurturing the learning, owning the learning, and discerning success for learning emerged from the data, which revealed changes in students' lives as they moved through their schooling. Conclusions were: 1) Courage was needed to overcome fears and barriers during students' education; 2) Receiving nurturing through a whole-person approach promoted success; 3) Students' journeys were fostered through the support of others; 4) Students learning to believe in themselves was a key element of success; and 5) Collective community success was experienced when students were successful in a program. The importance of community voices may contribute towards planning future healthcare programs.