Nurse identifies barriers, solutions to creating a diverse nursing workforce

One way to promote greater diversity in the nursing workforce is to make sure minority nurse leaders are present when admissions and hiring decisions are made. That’s the view of Stephanie Wroten, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer for Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center, which serves rural eastern North Carolina. She recently spoke with HealthLeaders Media about the challenges minority nurses face, beginning with barriers to entering nursing school. She said students of color don’t always perform well on standardized tests, but this should not preclude their admission if there are other indicators they will succeed. Once in school, institutions can provide supports to students who are challenged financially or by family responsibilities. Both schools and employers can promote diversity by tackling racism and making sure nurses of color sit at the tables where decisions are made. (HealthLeaders Media article, 1/24/22)