Who is our consumer? Shaping nursing programs to meet emerging needs

Demographic changes are occurring in some states at a faster rate than in others; yet it is projected that these changes will be mirrored throughout the United States in the coming half-century. In California, persons of Hispanic origin now constitute more than 25 per cent of the population, and noncaucasian racial groups total 31 per cent. As a health care discipline, it is critical that nursing recruit individuals into the profession who reflect the population that nurses serve, and the curriculum and clinical learning opportunities should be culturally relevant. Moreover, federally funded research is now required to generate knowledge about all groups, regardless of ethnicity, race, or gender. Current demographic data provide information about the emerging ethnic and racial composition of the population, birthrates, and types of health care services that are likely to be needed. Implications of these trends can guide goal setting for educational programs, research, and clinical practice to ensure that academic nursing addresses the public need.