Work force diversity: nursing perspectives

All too frequently, diversity is viewed negatively or, at best, neutrally. The challenge of diversity is one of embracing it. The extent to which we are successful in meeting this challenge will determine South Carolina's and America's competitiveness and effectiveness in health care and in the global marketplace. Although much of the focus of this article has been work force diversity within nursing, attention to diversity is applicable within all health services markets, where human resources is the primary conduit for progress. Therefore, elements of this report can be generalized to all health care providers, where racial under-representation, in comparison to the populations served, is present.