Importance of Diversity in Nursing

September 05, 2023

In the 21st century, the U.S. population is becoming increasingly diverse. One indicator of this development is the U.S. Census Bureau’s “diversity index,” which measures the chance that two randomly selected people will be from different racial or ethnic groups. According to the Census Bureau, the diversity index grew from 54.9% in 2010 to 61.1% in 2020.

The growing diversity of the population brings immense opportunity to enhance many aspects of society, and healthcare is no exception. Ensuring equity in healthcare is tremendously important in promoting positive health outcomes. Diversity in nursing is particularly critical because of the close relationships that nurses build with their patients and the sensitive nature of the healthcare that nurses provide. A nursing workforce that reflects the population it serves can only strengthen healthcare.

As a current or aspiring nurse considering a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, you may be particularly interested in knowing the importance and benefits of diversity and nursing, as well as related statistics and initiatives. While there have been improvements in nursing diversity over the past few decades, there are still many more that can be made.

Why is diversity important in healthcare?

As patient populations become increasingly diverse, there’s a growing need for all healthcare professionals to treat and collaborate with patients from a culturally sensitive perspective.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has made a number of important points about the critical role of diversity in nursing:

There is a direct connection between a diverse nursing workforce and nurses’ ability to provide culturally competent, quality healthcare.
A diverse nursing staff can enable nurses to learn from one another and build a greater understanding of others’ backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. This understanding can inform and strengthen the quality of the healthcare that nurses provide.
Improving the diversity of the nursing workforce can help alleviate health inequities in historically underserved communities and enable better access to care.

In addition, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice has noted that:

Nurses who are members of minority groups or disadvantaged populations are more likely to advocate for services and programs in their communities because they are aware of the community’s needs.
When nurses are members of the populations they serve, they are better able to improve communication and trust among minority groups. They may also be more likely to work in resource-poor communities facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, which can improve access to healthcare.

Diversity in Nursing Can Help Improve Patient Outcomes

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, a lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce is one factor that has contributed to poorer health and higher mortality rates among minority groups. Some patients feel more comfortable when their healthcare providers share their ethnicity, race, and language. Improving nursing diversity strengthens the trust between patients and nurses, which can lead to patients more strongly adhering to nurses’ recommendations.

A 2020 Nursing Forum article on the barriers to career advancement that African American nurses face highlighted the benefits of minority nurses’ ascending to executive roles in senior leadership. Specifically, representation at the executive level can give minority nurses the ability to influence the overall structure of the healthcare environment to reduce health disparities and improve patient outcomes.

How Diversity in Nursing Helps the Nursing Workforce

As a 2021 American Nurse report notes, a lack of nursing diversity can lead some nurses to feel isolated; it also can lead to misunderstanding and weaken a sense of community among nurses. It’s important for nurses of all races and ethnicities to have role models among nursing school faculty members, mentors who can demonstrate how they interact with patients and other medical professionals, and models of researchers who study underserved populations.

The effects of racism in the nursing workforce are profound. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Professional Nursing, minority nurses reported leaving employment because of racism they had experienced. They also reported that:

They had to work for longer periods of time before being promoted.
They felt undervalued and silenced.
Their employers dismissed their contributions.
They felt powerless in decision-making processes.

The study emphasized the importance of nurse educators’ role in modeling behavior and practice that new nurses can replicate as they begin their careers.

Where Does Diversity in Nursing Stand Now?

It can be informative to compare the four most represented ethnicities within the U.S. population with the three most represented ethnicities among those who work in nursing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2020 census determined that the overall U.S. population was:

White and non-Hispanic: 57.8% (down from 63.7% in 2010)
Hispanic or Latinx: 18.7% (up from 16.3% in 2010)
Black or African American and non-Hispanic: 12.1% (down from 12.2% in 2010)
Asian: 5.9% (up from 4.7% in 2010)

Statistics regarding nurse ethnicity show that ethnicity among nurses does not yet align with the ethnicity in the U.S. population, although the numbers are slowly shifting in some categories. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey published by the Journal of Nursing Regulation, the four most represented ethnicities among registered nurses were:

White and non-Hispanic: 80.6% (down from 80.8% in 2017)
Asian: 7.2% (down from 7.5% in 2017)
Black or African American and non-Hispanic: 6.7% (up from 6.2% in 2017)
Hispanic or Latinx: 5.6% (up from 3.6% in 2015 and 5.3% in 2017)

Among licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses, the four most represented ethnicities were:

White and non-Hispanic: 69.5% (down from 71.4% in 2017)
Black or African American and non-Hispanic: 17.2% (down from 18.5% in 2017)
Hispanic or Latinx: 10% (up from 6.4% in 2015 and 7.4% in 2017)
Asian: 5% (up from 2.6% in 2017)

In addition to representation in the nursing workforce, it’s interesting to note the ethnicity of individuals who enroll in nursing educational programs. These numbers show that educational programs are fueling the growth of diversity in the nursing field, including advanced degree programs. According to the AACN, in 2020:

Enrollment in nursing bachelor’s degree programs was 62.1% white and 37.9% minority, compared to 72.3% and 27.7% in 2011.
Enrollment in nursing master’s degree programs was 62.9% white and 37.1% minority, compared to 73.9% and 26.6% in 2011.
Enrollment in nursing doctorate-level programs was 62.8% white and 37.2% minority, compared to 78% and 22% in 2011.

Diversity in the nursing profession can provide much-needed sensitivity and understanding to the patient experience. In fact, the unique contributions of nurses from various backgrounds allows them to help advance the healthcare process by addressing patients in their native language or identifying cultural and religious sensitivities without unnecessary delay.

What Efforts Are in Place to Increase Diversity in Nursing?

In recent years, there have been ongoing efforts across various nursing programs to attract students from different backgrounds.

Campaign for Action, an organization founded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the AARP Foundation, and AARP, works to help people live healthier and longer lives by bolstering the power of nursing. One of the organization’s aims is to promote policies, programs, and best practices to ensure diversity in the nursing ranks. It also works to promote health equity and address systemic and institutional racism.

Another organization, Exceptional Nurse, strives to provide resources for nurses and nursing students with disabilities — who can often be overlooked when discussing diversity in the nursing profession. Breaking down gender stereotypes may be critical to drawing more men into the nursing workforce. There are dedicated support systems in place for male nurses, such as the American Association for Men in Nursing.

In 2018, the AACN formed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group (DEIG) to provide expert guidance to both the AACN and its member schools on ways to explore long-term, sustainable, and strategic goals that are designed to promote and support diversity in the nursing field. In 2021, that organization became the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN), which furthers initiatives to improve inclusion, equity, and diversity in the nursing workforce and academic nursing.

What Is the Future of Diversity in Nursing?

The growing focus on diversity in nursing could help current and aspiring nurses develop a deeper understanding of how to support and engage patients from a range of different backgrounds. It takes brave leaders in nursing to help effect positive change in representation.

If you aspire to be a nurse leader and want to work to improve diversity in healthcare, explore Maryville University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. The program can equip you with the critical skills necessary to take on greater nursing responsibility and achieve professional growth. Start your journey toward an expanded role in the nursing profession today.