How Would You Encourage Individuals
from Underrepresented Populations to
Choose Nursing as a Career?
Kelly Kaufman

“¡Me duele la garganta!”

Would you know what this means if your patient said it? Please let me introduce myself. I represent the perspective of an individual from a minority population. I speak many languages and represent the beliefs, religions, and cultural practices that are shared by millions of your patients. I have no doubt that you have provided care for my family and friends at some time, but perhaps you were not aware of culturally-sensitive issues in the care of minority populations.

“¡Me duele la garganta!” in Spanish means “My throat hurts.” Your patients have been incessantly calling for me — calling until their throats hurt! I will share how you can encourage me to choose nursing as a career.

Recognize the need for my help. Currently, we, as racial and ethnic minority groups, make up about 30% of the United States population. It is projected that this number will rise to 40% by 2030. From receiving immunizations for disease prevention, to getting screened for cancer, to managing diabetes — health disparities are serious burdens to us. The nursing profession lacks the ethnic diversity among its members to represent such a varied national population. While this underrepresentation will be challenging to fix, I’ll let you know where to find me for help.

Start recruiting me early. I may be well into high school after I have formed other educational goals or work plans for the future. My neighborhood might look different from yours, but don’t let that deter you from visiting me at my school. For many of my friends, this will be the first time that they will meet a nurse and learn about career opportunities. At this stage, I want to be inspired with facts about the wonderful world of nursing. Explain how I will get the chance to represent my minority population, help others, and be afforded the versatility and benefits that come with a career in nursing. Let me shadow you on a career fair day. Provide additional guidance counseling in high school when I decide that I want to become a nurse, and offer me the opportunity to receive nurse aide training to keep my interest ablaze. As I apply for a nursing school program, please recognize that college applications and entrance exams might be an obstacle for me, so avidly encourage my success in these processes.

Discuss my concerns with me. Understand that I am about to make a career decision that will radically affect my life. As a representative from a minority population, I am targeted by many stereotypes that attempt to label my work ethic and abilities. Because of these false conceptions, I find the hospital setting and staff who work there to be somewhat intimidating. At times, I even doubt myself and my capabilities to be a future nurse and would appreciate some candid conversation on these concerns. Inform me that the face of nursing is changing and encourage the wishes of both women and men to become nurses!

Enable me to pursue an education. I will be the first member of my family to attempt a higher education, and I need your financial support. Let me repeat myself once more to add emphasis: I need your financial support! Without significant monetary investment, becoming a nurse will just be a dream. My family never planned for me to attend college, but my career goal will be more justified if you provide me with my tuition, books, living expenses, etc.

Provide a mentor for me. A nurse mentor from a similar background will help me to envision my future as a nurse. This person should act as an advocate, confidant, and facilitator. Also, encourage me to join empowering nursing organizations that represent my needs, such as the National Black Nurses Association, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, or American Assembly for Men in Nursing. Nursing school will be no easy feat; I will need motivation and inspiration along the way. Through unwavering optimism from nurses in underrepresented populations, I will be empowered to pass my nursing courses and make my family proud of my decision to get a higher education.

Help me to transition into the professional role of a nurse. Ensure that my needs are met in whichever clinical setting I choose, and support my decision if I want to further my education in nursing. In the long run, your recruiting efforts will pay off. With your investment in me, you can be assured that I will be an excellent advocate and representative for the health disparities of my underrepresented population. I’m waiting for an invitation to join a rewarding profession of which I can be proud. Nursing will break barriers for me, and I promise to break barriers for nursing!

Kelly Kaufman