Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Trends in racial and ethnic demographics of the nursing workforce: 2000 to 2015
George A Zangaro1, Robin Streeter1, Tiandong Li1
1National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD.
Background:
The case for a more diverse nursing workforce has never been stronger given the rapidly changing demographics of the United States (U.S.) and the underrepresentation of certain racial and ethnic groups in nursing.
Purpose:
The purpose of this paper is to examine how representation of ethnic and racial minority groups in the nursing workforce has changed over a 15-year period (2000-2015).
Methods:
The American Community Survey (ACS) data files were used to examine patterns in ethnicity/race and education level in the registered nurse (RN) workforce. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square.
Findings:
In the nursing workforce, minority groups are reaching higher levels of education. There has been a sharp increase in the number of baccalaureate graduates and a leveling-off of associate degree nurses.
Discussion:
Nursing leaders are working collaboratively to increase the ethnic and racial diversity of the nursing workforce that is growing at a rate faster than that of the U.S. population as a whole.
Related Concept Videos
Current Trends in Nursing I
Current Trends in Nursing II
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Trends in Lattice Energy: Ion Size and Charge
Nursing Interventions I: Taxonomy of Nursing Interventions
A nursing intervention is a treatment or action based on scientific concepts and knowledge from the nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences. Identifying and prioritizing nursing interventions based on the desired outcome...

