Abstract
Background:
Despite national efforts to diversify the health care workforce, longitudinal data reveal systemic barriers, ranging from financial hardship to lack of mentorship and institutional support, that continue to hinder progress.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to analyze, identify, and highlight the persistent underrepresentation of Black students in US graduate nursing programs over a 20-year period.
Methods:
Annual enrollment and graduation of White and Black students from graduate nursing programs in the United States were obtained from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for the 20 years spanning 2003–2022 for review.
Results:
The longitudinal analysis reveals a persistent disparity in graduation rates between Black and White nursing students across the study period, with trends indicating an increasingly wide gap.
Conclusions:
Addressing inequities demands structural reform, inclusive academic environments, and sustained investment in equity-driven strategies.