Melting the Snowy White Peaks: The needs, expectations and experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic student nurses to support equitable nursing education and career progression

Abstract

BackgroundThere is an under-representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic nurses in senior positions within the UK's national healthcare system. ObjectivesTo understand student nurses' perspectives on the role of race and ethnicity on career expectations, course learning and delivery, and areas for additional training and skill development for all nurses in understanding structural inequalities in healthcare. DesignQualitative study involving semi-structured interviews. SettingsUniversity in south-east England, UK. Participants15 nursing students (14 women, one man) from a range of ethnic backgrounds, age-groups and nationalities. MethodsInterviews lasting 30–60 min were conducted with nursing students and thematic analyses undertaken. ResultsFour inter-related themes were constructed: altered career expectations, lack of understanding, absent discussion of racism and missing representation. Experiences of racism were not uncommon for students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and these experiences affected these students' career expectations. Students described a lack of understanding about racism and that it was a taboo topic on their course and in placements. ConclusionsFindings highlight an urgent need for universities to challenge existing nursing curricula to ensure inclusive, anti-racist educational provision that works equitably for all future nurses. The importance of representation was highlighted among those who deliver courses, in the content of nursing curriculum through inclusive education, decolonised curricula and with student voices embedded to enable the development of culturally-competent nursing graduates.