In the nursing field across the country and at Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON), professionals have recognized the need to further foster diversity within healthcare. As such, the nursing profession has historically been composed of largely white women. In an effort to address concerns regarding the lack of diversity, KCON and the nursing profession as a whole have taken steps to further support marginalized nursing students.

According to data by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the career’s workforce is composed of 67% white registered nurses. Further, nine percent is Asian, nine percent is Hispanic and four percent is Pacific Islander or identifies as multiple races. Less than one percent of the field identifies as American Indian or Alaskan Native. In addition, Men account for only 12% of all RNs.

Linda Lewandowski, the dean of KCON, recognizes the aforementioned statistics and is committed to making the nursing field more equitable and enticing to everyone.

“Although we are not where we want to be, we are getting better,” Lewandowski said.

Lewandowski pointed out that in 2020, the percentage of men in nursing nationwide was only 9.4%. At KCON, the percentage of male nursing students has increased to 16%.

Another other notable trend has been the fact that nurses from minority backgrounds are to be more likely to pursue higher degrees in the nursing field. Data shows that while 69.5% of white nurses complete nursing degrees beyond their associate degree, the number is significantly higher for minority nurses, including Hispanic (73.9%), Black (75.6%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (84.0%) and Asian (87.6%) nurses.

“Students can obtain RN licensure after achieving an associate degree from a community college,” Lewandowski said. “The trend is for nurses to then go on to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Some work settings are (also) now requiring that ADN-prepared nurses obtain their BSN degree within a certain time period after hire.”

To Lewandowski, the traditional ascent into nursing is still a great one, but she is excited to see the tenacity and ambition of the marginalized nurses who are taking their nursing careers to the next level. Lewandowski feels this development elevates such nurses to leadership positions with higher pay than their white counterparts.

“RNs from underrepresented groups clearly recognize the need to pursue higher levels of nursing education beyond the entry level and, perhaps contrary to stereotypes and expectations, are pursuing further education and higher rates,” Lewandowski said.

Despite the demographic changes being witnessed in the nursing profession by Lewandowski and others, one characteristic of the field has remained constant: trust.

“Having a strong moral compass and a high sense of integrity are very important (for nurses),” Lewandowski said. “This is exemplified in the fact that for the 22nd year in a row, nurses were voted the most trusted profession in the U.S.”

Administrators and educators in nursing are well aware of the importance of these statistics and the need to help diversify the industry by making education available and accessible to any person who wishes to pursue it. Lewandowski is one such individual who would love to see an increase in diversity in the field.

“Implementing targeted outreach programs, providing scholarships and promoting mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups (is important),” Lewandowski said. “Collaborative efforts with community organizations, K-12 schools and colleges are helping to raise awareness about nursing as a rewarding career for people from all backgrounds.”

For some schools, changing the admissions process to include a more complete profile of a candidate’s background and abilities has been beneficial to increasing educational diversity.

“One change in academic settings is (the) move to holistic admissions, which give a more level playing field to applicants of all backgrounds,” Lewandowski said. “KCON has been doing holistic admissions for a number of years.”

If a certain field desires a more diverse range of candidates, support structures are often put in place to aid students. Such structures include funding and scholarships for those who might need an extra economic boost to pursue their dreams. At GVSU, the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) program is offered through KCON, and aims to increase nursing education opportunities for marginalized students. The program is funded by the HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant. According to Lewandowski, the University was able to provide support and scholarships to 29 undergraduate students and 20 graduate students in the last three years.

“Providing academic and financial support is very important,” Lewandowski said. “We are now applying for a competing continuation grant for this project to reach more students of diverse backgrounds, as well as a couple of other proposals in review advancing similar goals.”

These programs and outreach initiatives are bolstered by specific DEI positions that promote and ensure that underrepresented groups have the same access to opportunities as their white counterparts.

“We are working hard to foster more inclusive environments in nursing schools and in healthcare settings to ensure diverse perspectives are welcomed and supported,” Lewandowski said.

She specifically mentioned that over the summer, KCON will introduce the position of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) coordinator. The role will report directly to the Lewandowski, and will aim to make the KCON environment more positive, nurturing, supportive and welcoming for all. According to Lewandowski, other strategies at the University include promoting flexible workplace schedules, offering cultural competency training, mentoring programs and creating career pathways that encourage individuals from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue nursing as a lifelong profession.

While the road to complete equity in nursing may be a long one, Lewandowski is proud of the work nurses have done across the country to make the profession look more like the real world.

“I am proud of how nursing has really stepped up to address racial inequities and structural racism,” Lewandowski said. “(The) nursing (profession) has recognized that we have to do a better job of enhancing diversity in the workforce. We are making progress, but we are not where we need to be, and are thus continuing our efforts.”