Abstract
Background: The case for a more diverse nursing workforce has never been stronger given the rapidly changing demographics of the United States (U.S.) and the underrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic groups in nursing. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how representation of ethnic and racial minority groups in the nursing workforce has changed over a 15-year period (2000–2015). Methods: The American Community Survey (ACS) data files were used to examine patterns in ethnicity/race and education level in the registered nurse (RN) workforce. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. Findings: In the nursing workforce, minority groups are reaching higher levels of education. There has been a sharp increase in the number of baccalaureate graduates and a leveling-off of associate degree nurses. Discussion: Nursing leaders are working collaboratively to increase the ethnic and racial diversity of the nursing workforce that is growing at a rate faster than that of the U.S. population as a whole.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 365-371 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Nursing outlook |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Diversity
- Minority groups
- Nursing
- Registered nurse
- Workforce
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nursing(all)