Black nurses face racist discrimination that can push them out of the profession

A new, national survey shows the majority of nurses in the U.S. have seen or experienced racism in the workplace. Leading professionals say such discrimination’s impact is far-reaching.
Delanor Manson is the first Black person to lead the Kentucky Nurses Association since it was founded 117 years ago.

She has had a long and varied career in nursing that took her across the world as a now-retired Navy officer before she became CEO of the association. But what Manson has been able to accomplish is the exception, not the rule.

“I have to say that part of the reason we have a nursing shortage is that many nurses of color have said, ‘Enough. I'm not taking it anymore, and I'm out,’” she said.

Manson said nurses of color face racism and other barriers that push them to leave the profession, which adds to the nursing shortages in the Midwest and across the country.