Lived Experiences of Racially and Ethnically Underrepresented Minority BSN Students: A Case Study Specifically Exploring Issues Related to Recruitment and Retention

The lived experiences of 12 traditionally aged underrepresented minority BSN students in a predominantly white university were explored using a qualitative, semi-structured, e-questionnaire approach. A multistep analysis procedure of the data identified barriers, including negative interactions with and lack of diversity of faculty and peers, deficiency of cultural competency training, lack of academic and financial support, and negative family behaviors. Identified facilitators include a strong desire to be a nurse, family member in the health care profession, and proximity to home. Novel findings include highly polarized responses regarding interactions with faculty and peers and the drive to be a nurse as a unique aspect of general determination.