Baccalaureate Minority Nursing Students Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Clinical Education Practices

An Integrative Review

Abstract

AIM 

This integrative review synthesized baccalaureate minority nursing students’ perceptions of their clinical experiences.

BACKGROUND 

The diversity of the nursing workforce does not mirror the United States population. Attrition rates of minority nursing students remain higher than rates for White students. Literature examining facilitators and barriers to minority student success predominantly focuses on academic factors, excluding those relevant to clinical education.

METHOD 

An integrative review using literature from nursing and education.

FINDINGS 

Three common perceived barriers were identified: discrimination from faculty, peers, nursing staff, and patients; bias in faculty grading practices; and isolation.

CONCLUSION 

Although little is known about the relationship between clinical failures and overall attrition, this review provides evidence that minority students encounter significant barriers in clinical education. To increase the diversity of the nursing workforce, faculty must address these issues and make modifications to ensure an equal opportunity at a quality education for all students.