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Bridges and barriers: educational mobility of Hispanic nurses
A M Villarruel1, M Canales, S Torres
1University of Michigan, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor 48109-0482, USA.
The Journal of Nursing Education
|September 14, 2001
Summary
Hispanic nurses face financial, institutional, and discrimination barriers to career advancement. Family, peers, and faculty support can bridge these gaps, aiding nursing workforce diversification.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Health Workforce Diversity
- Hispanic Health
Background:
- Lack of data on Hispanic nurses' educational mobility hinders workforce diversification.
- Ensuring Hispanic representation parity in nursing is crucial.
- Understanding educational pathways is vital for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify barriers encountered by Hispanic nurses pursuing higher education.
- Identify bridges or facilitators for Hispanic nurses' educational mobility.
- Provide recommendations to enhance educational progression for Hispanic nurses.
Main Methods:
- Conducted focus groups with Hispanic Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates.
- Conducted focus groups with Hispanic BSN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates.
- Gathered qualitative data on experiences across six national sites.
Main Results:
- Key barriers included financial constraints, institutional obstacles, and perceived discrimination.
- Cultural values, family obligations, and gender roles presented challenges.
- Family support, peer encouragement, and faculty mentorship acted as significant bridges.
Conclusions:
- Addressing financial and institutional barriers is essential for Hispanic nurses' educational mobility.
- Leveraging existing support systems (family, peers, faculty) can facilitate progression.
- Targeted strategies are needed to diversify the nursing workforce and ensure representation.