Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 26, 2025
Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
Nursing Program Admission Barriers in the United States: Considerations for Increasing Black Student Enrollment
Michelle DeCoux Hampton1, Denise Dawkins, Sheri Rickman Patrick
1Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Hampton), Assistant Professor (Drs Dawkins and Rickman Patrick), Director and Professor (Dr O'Leary-Kelley), and Nursing Students (Ms Onglengco and Ms Stobbe), The Valley Foundation School of Nursing, San Jose State University, California.
Background:
The percentage of Black registered nurses (RN) is disproportionate to Black residents in the population, particularly in Southern states.
Purpose:
This study's purpose was to identify the potential admission barriers for Black students in RN education in the South versus Midwest, Northeast, and West.
Methods:
A cross-sectional design was used to compare admission criteria for 1597 accredited associate degree in nursing and bachelor of science in nursing programs by geographic region.
Results:
Southern programs required a significantly higher count of academic metric criteria (multiple grade point average, standardized tests) and nonacademic criteria (proof of health insurance, background checks). Southern programs had a significantly lower count of holistic admissions review criteria (references, essays, volunteer work).
Conclusion:
Approximately 50% of programs used academic metrics exclusively, and most programs using some holistic criteria assigned greatest weight to academic metrics despite evidence that this disadvantages qualified, underrepresented students. Access to RN education must be improved. Recommendations are discussed for transition to holistic admissions review.
Related Concept Videos
01:30National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
01:28Current Trends in Nursing I
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:22Standards of Care I
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...