Diversity in nursing: a challenge for the profession

Affirmative action policies and programs have been in place since the 1960's to afford academic and job opportunities for women and minorities. The past few years have brought about debate and controversy over the benefits of affirmative action. In spite of affirmative action, minorities continue to be underrepresented in nursing. With the increase of minorities in the general population, nursing will be ill prepared to meet the challenge of providing care to a diverse society. One of the major reasons cited for an underrepresented minority population in nursing is the lack of recruitment and retention strategies. The answers are not in affirmative action alone, but from within nursing itself.