Perceived Barriers for Ethnically Diverse Students in Nursing Programs

ABSTRACT This qualitative research study examined the perceived barriers and factors that hindered or facilitated ethnically diverse students’ completing their nursing education. It builds on a large qualitative study conducted by Yoder in 1996, describing the processes nurse educators use when teaching ethnically diverse students and the perceived special needs of these students. Seventeen recently graduated ethnic minority RNs in Central Coastal California were interviewed using an open-ended questionnaire. These nurses represented Latino, Portuguese, Asian, and African-American population groups. Grounded theory methodology was used for data analysis. The findings identified the needs and barriers that ethnically diverse nursing students may encounter while completing their nursing education. In addition, data revealed supportive factors that helped these students cope with the barriers. AUTHORS Received: August 28, 2004 Accepted: May 20, 2005 Ms. Amaro is Nursing Instructor, Gavilan Community College, Gilroy, and Dr. Abriam-Yago and Dr. Yoder are Professors, San Jose State University, San Jose, California. Address correspondence to Debra J. Amaro, MS, RN, 6760 Stephan Court, Gilroy, CA 95020; e-mail: damaro@gavilan.edu.