The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that in the 2010-11 academic year there were 15,860 African Americans enrolled in entry-level bachelor’s degree nursing programs in the United States. They made up 10.3 percent of total enrollments in these nursing programs. In 2002, Blacks were 8 percent of all students enrolled in entry-level bachelor’s degree programs in nursing. By 2006, the Black percentage of total enrollments reached 12.1 percent, but has since declined to 10.3 percent.
African Americans have made significant progress in master’s and doctoral degree programs in recent years. In 2002, Blacks made up 7.0 percent of all students in master’s degree programs in nursing. That year, there were 2,903 African Americans enrolled in master’s degree nursing programs. By 2011, there were 9,661 African American enrolled in these programs. Blacks made up 12.6 of the total enrollments.
In 2002, African Americans were 6.8 percent of all students in research-focused doctoral degree programs in nursing. By 2011, Blacks made up 11.9 percent of all students in these doctoral programs.
This is excellent news. Particularly, that Bachelors and advanced degrees are being sought. Way to go! Very proud to learn this.
The news about enrollment is good and promising. However, what is not reported are the graduation rates and the schools in which African Americans are enrolled. It is an entirely different story.
It would be nice to have the entire story, and not just a piece of it.