"If a school only utters the word 'diversity' when it comes from the diversity office, that school has a problem," says Shielda G. Rodgers, PhD, RN, associate professor and assistant dean for Inclusive Excellence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing. "Everyone on campus needs to buy into it."
Considering diversity and inclusion is not just about fairness. It helps nurses understand the needs of different patient populations and deliver better care.
The Terms That Matter
Diversity covers the differences within a population: ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, race, gender, economic class, abilities, and life experiences.
Inclusion is the deliberate, coordinated effort to help everyone, especially those in the minority, feel valued, supported, and encouraged to participate.
Equity recognizes that people do not start from the same place with the same advantages, and it directs resources to students in greater need.
Diversity benefits everyone, not only underrepresented students. A 2016 U.S. Department of Education report found that exposure to different cultures, perspectives, and experiences sharpens critical thinking and analytical skills and helps students compete in a global marketplace.
Nursing is working to keep pace with a changing population. The workforce is slowly diversifying: the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey found that 77% of registered nurses identified as White, down from 80% in 2022, with the share of Black RNs rising from 6% to 9% over the same two years. Meanwhile the U.S. Census projects that non-white racial and ethnic groups will make up the majority of the population by 2045. That gap demands a more diverse, culturally competent nursing workforce, which is exactly why enrollment diversity is worth weighing when you pick a school.
"If students find a fit where they feel like they belong, academically and otherwise, they're more likely to finish their degree," Rodgers says. "Otherwise they could leave within a year."
Nine Questions to Ask
1. Does the school have a diversity and inclusion plan with measurable goals?
The plan should be a core part of the school's strategic plan, with inclusive excellence as a primary mission, says Rolanda Johnson, PhD, MSN, RN, assistant dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Vanderbilt University's School of Nursing. The school should track metrics like recruitment and graduation rates, report on them, and hold itself accountable.
2. Does the plan address retention and graduation gaps, not just admissions?
Pipeline programs that recruit a diverse student body matter, but so does continuous support that gets students to graduation. Johnson suggests talking with current minority students about their experiences and whether the school has the resources to set students up to succeed.
3. What financial programs support economically disadvantaged students?
"Nursing school is really expensive," Rodgers says. Comparison shop and ask for the full list of resources that cover the actual cost of attendance, not just tuition, room, and board, but also books, supplies, uniforms, testing, and travel to clinical sites. Many scholarships target minority students, but Rodgers warns to watch for aid that covers only tuition and housing rather than the total cost.
4. Are there funded programs or affinity groups for cultural and socioeconomic support?
Schools should provide emergency aid for basic needs like food and shelter and offer mental health services for the stress students carry. Affinity groups build community and belonging. "Students from underrepresented groups consistently say these groups are invaluable, a way to bond over common backgrounds and experiences," Johnson says.
5. Does the school offer real education on diversity, inclusion, and equity?
Look for schools that give students room to share their experiences across the whole school, and that require students and faculty to learn about diversity through coursework and workshops. That approach educates everyone and takes the burden off students of color to lead the conversation alone. It also creates space for students to examine their own biases, confront injustice, and learn to hold one another accountable.
6. If the program is online, does it follow the same diversity plan?
Online programs should offer the same community and inclusion as on-campus ones. "Students must ask what strategies a school has to create a sense of community virtually," Johnson says. Look for regular checkin sessions with faculty and student leaders on video, student-run virtual activities for underrepresented groups, and video advising instead of email or phone.
7. Does the school look beyond campus for perspectives on racial and social justice?
The best schools bring in a wide range of voices, including community members, advocates, faith leaders, and city officials, when making decisions about diversity and equity. Outside perspectives strengthen campus culture and help the school carry out its policies.
8. Is the campus safe and welcoming for all students?
Ask where the school stands on contested issues like monuments and building names, and whether campus and local police have a plan to help students of color feel safe. Rodgers strongly advises checking the campus climate, because schools have seen a resurgence in racism and need to address it directly.
9. Does the school have minority faculty and staff, and a plan to increase them?
In 2013-2014, 74% of faculty at U.S. colleges and universities were white, 5% Asian, 4% Black, and 3% Hispanic, according to the 2016 Department of Education report. Diverse faculty shape curriculum, climate, and the experience for every student. The Center for Education Data and Research points to three clear advantages: students of color see people like themselves in positions of authority, minority faculty often hold higher expectations for minority students, and faculty who share students' backgrounds can read behavior and choose effective teaching strategies. All of it promotes achievement.
Minority Nursing Groups and Associations
Joining a group that supports minority nurses is a strong tool for networking and staying current on the issues that matter. Good places to start:
- National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA)
- Black Nurses Rock
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
- Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA)
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)
- Philippine Nurses Association of America
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does diversity in a nursing school matter?
Beyond fairness, a diverse student body and faculty help future nurses understand the needs of different patient populations and deliver better, more culturally competent care. Exposure to different cultures and perspectives also sharpens critical thinking, and students who feel they belong are more likely to finish their degree.
How diverse is the nursing workforce right now?
It is diversifying but still lags the general population. The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey found 77% of registered nurses identified as White, down from 80% in 2022. By contrast, the U.S. Census projects non-white groups will become the population majority by 2045.
How can I tell if a school is genuinely committed to inclusion, not just talking?
Look for a diversity and inclusion plan with measurable goals tied to the school's strategic plan, including tracked recruitment and graduation rates. Ask whether the plan addresses retention and graduation gaps, not only admissions, and whether there is funding, affinity groups, and minority faculty behind the words.
What financial questions should I ask about cost and aid?
Ask for the full list of resources covering the actual cost of attendance, not just tuition, room, and board, but books, supplies, uniforms, testing, and travel to clinical sites. Watch for scholarships that cover only tuition and housing rather than the total cost.
Do online nursing programs offer the same support?
They should. Ask what strategies the program uses to build community virtually, such as regular video checkin sessions with faculty, student-run virtual activities for underrepresented groups, and video advising rather than email or phone.
What groups support minority nurses?
Strong starting points include the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, the National Black Nurses Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Black Nurses Rock, and the Philippine Nurses Association of America.