DN_logo

eNewsletter � 01/12/2010  Vol. 2-01
Ethnic Nurses
associationconferences

asian nurse Enhancing Diversity in the Nursing Workforce

Nursing's leaders recognize a strong connection between a culturally diverse nursing workforce and the ability to provide quality, culturally competent patient care.  Though nursing has made great strides in recruiting and graduating nurses that mirror the patient population, more must be done before adequate representation becomes a reality. The need to attract students from under-represented groups in nursing - specifically men and individuals from African American, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, and Alaskan native backgrounds - is gaining in importance given the Bureau of Labor Statistics' projected need for more than a million new and replacement registered nurses by 2016.

Diversity in the Nursing Workforce & Student Populations

  • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation's minority population totaled 102.5 million or 34% of the U.S. population in 2007.  With projections pointing to even greater levels of diversity in the coming years, nurses must demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of a variety of cultures in order to provide high quality care across settings.  
  • According to the latest National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) from March 2004, nurses from minority backgrounds represented 10.7% of the registered nurse (RN) workforce. Considering racial/ethnic backgrounds, the RN population is comprised of 4.2% African American; 1.7% Hispanic; 3.1% Asian/Native Hawaiian; 0.3% American Indian/Alaskan Native; and 1.4% multi-racial nurses. 
  • Though men only comprise 5.8% of the nation's nursing workforce, this percentage has climbed steadily since the NSSRN was first conducted in 1980. The number of men in nursing has surged 273.2% in this time period from 45,060 nurses in 1980 to 168,181 nurses in 2004. http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/rnsurvey04
  • According to the National Sample Survey, RNs from minority backgrounds are more likely than their white counterparts to pursue baccalaureate and higher degrees in nursing.  Data show that while 46.5% of white nurses complete nursing degrees beyond the associate degree level, the number is significantly higher or equivalent for minority nurses, including African American (52.0%), Hispanic (46.4%), and Asian (72.6%) nurses. RNs from minority backgrounds clearly recognize the need to pursue higher levels of nursing education beyond the entry-level.
  • According to AACN's report on 2008-2009 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, nursing students from minority backgrounds represented 26.0% of students in entry-level baccalaureate programs, 24% of master's students, and 22.2% of students in research-focused doctoral programs. In terms of gender breakdown, men comprised 10.4% of students in baccalaureate programs, 8.9% of master's students, 7.1% of research-focused doctoral students, and 10.2% of practice-focused doctoral students. Though nursing schools have made strides in recruiting and graduating nurses that reflect the patient population, more must be done before equal representation is realized.
  • The need to attract diverse nursing students is paralleled by the need to recruit more faculty from minority populations. Few nurses from racial/ethnic minority groups with advanced nursing degrees pursue faculty careers. According to data from AACN member schools, only 10.7% of full-time nursing school faculty come from minority backgrounds, and only 5.0% are male. www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS
Reprinted from American Association of Colleges of Nursing
In This Issue
Diverse Nurse Association Conferences
Enhancing Diversity in the Nursing Workforce
Mercy Health System
What is DiversityNursing.com
Featured Sponsor

Mercy Health System
Contact Us
To establish or reinforce your commitment to Diversity, call:

Pat Magrath
National Sales Director at 781-248-3446 or email her at [email protected]
What is DiversityNursing.com

flowers2

Is it a recruiting company or hiring service?
No.
DiversityNursing.com is the nation's leading website where nurses and organizations who need nurses may find each other. It is a premier online career job board and information resource.

Who needs DiversityNursing.com?

All nurses - from student nurses to CNO's - regardless of age, race, gender, religion, education, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or physical characteristics. All organizations who need nurses - from hospitals and insurance companies to schools and camps.

flowers2

How should you use DiversityNursing.com?

Nurses:  Check our banners, job postings, and Employer Profiles; set up a job alert, join our Facebook community, post your resume, sign up for our newsletter - - even register for our $5,000 education award or participate by comment on our Blog. Organizations:  Post your jobs, place banners with access to your website, add your Employer Profile.
Thank you
Thank you to all the nurses, educators and employers who continually support DiversityNursing.com