Why diversity in nursing matters
Hospitals and health systems need nurses who can build trust with growing patient populations, including immigrant and first-generation communities where English may be limited. Nurses who share a patient's background often understand cultural beliefs and practices that shape how care is received, and that understanding changes outcomes. A diverse workforce is central to effective community care, which is why recruiting and retaining nurses of color is a priority.
The numbers show how far there is to go. In the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, 77% of RNs identified as White, down from 80% in 2015, while the share of Black/African American RNs rose from 6% to 9% over the same period. Diversity is climbing, but nurses of color are still underrepresented relative to their share of the U.S. population. Communities of color also tend to have less access to care and higher rates of illness, so schools want graduates who practice with cultural awareness in underserved populations.
Affirmative action and admissions
On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and v. University of North Carolina that race-conscious admissions violate the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The decision ended the practice of weighing race as a factor in college and university admissions nationwide. Schools can still pursue diversity through race-neutral routes, such as outreach to underrepresented communities, holistic review of an applicant's full background, and essays where a student chooses to describe how race shaped their experience. Check how the schools you are considering have adjusted their process.
How schools support retention
Retention has been a persistent challenge, driven by family obligations and finances. Schools are responding by:
- Pairing first- and second-year students with advanced students through mentoring programs
- Building a more diverse faculty, though there are still too few doctoral-prepared nurses of color to fill those roles
- Revising curricula toward holistic, culturally sensitive care
- Expanding access through online programs and off-campus classes near the communities they serve
Scholarships for nursing students of color
Many individual schools set aside funds, and several national organizations offer awards:
- The Ethnic Minority Fellowship Program works to increase the number of nurses from underrepresented groups in psychiatric and mental health fields, offering annual stipends to pre- and postdoctoral students.
- The National Black Nurses Association offers several annual scholarships from $500 to $2,000 for NBNA members.
- The National Association of Hispanic Nurses offers scholarships to NAHN members.
- Minority Nurse Magazine sponsors annual scholarships for students with strong academic records and a demonstrated commitment to healthcare, and maintains a large scholarship database.
- Indian Health Service offers scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students from federally or state-recognized tribes who plan to serve native populations, open to undergraduate and graduate students across health fields.
Professional organizations
Many schools have minority nurse student groups, and several national organizations welcome student members:
- National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations
- National Black Nurses Association
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses
- National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association
Preparing nurses for diverse patients
Many programs now train students in cultural diversity before graduation, with courses on the beliefs and practices they will encounter in the communities they serve. Students are encouraged to learn new languages and are taught the different risk factors and symptoms that present across populations, preparation that matters more every year as patient populations grow more diverse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How diverse is the U.S. nursing workforce?
It is growing more diverse but still does not mirror the population. In the NCSBN 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, 77% of RNs identified as White, down from 80% in 2015, while the share of Black/African American RNs rose from 6% to 9%. Hispanic/Latino and male representation also increased.
Can nursing schools still consider race in admissions?
No. The June 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ended race-conscious admissions nationwide. Schools now pursue diversity through race-neutral means like community outreach, holistic review, and application essays.
What scholarships exist for nursing students of color?
National options include the National Black Nurses Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the Indian Health Service Scholarship Program for American Indian and Alaska Native students, the Ethnic Minority Fellowship Program for psychiatric and mental health fields, and the Minority Nurse scholarship database. Many individual schools also set aside funds.
Which professional organizations welcome minority nursing students?
The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, the National Black Nurses Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association all offer student membership.
Why does diversity in nursing matter?
Nurses who share a patient's background often understand the cultural beliefs and language that shape how care is received, and a diverse workforce is linked to better access and outcomes in underserved communities.