Conference addresses reasons for shortage of Black nurses

Since the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University is currently the fourth-largest producer of nurses in North Carolina, one might think that there would be a large number of African American nurses.

Think again.

"There has always been a shortage, and I feel that it is increasing," said Dr. Lenora Campbell, interim associate dean of the nursing program. "There's no shortage of who wants to be in the program. There is a limit in the enrollment of the program. So, it is like a competition, where who has the best GPA and SAT scores, those are the ones who will get in."

A video conference took place at WSSU Sept. 13 to address the issue. The theme was "The Endangered Species: African American Registered Nurses." The free conference was available to HBCU deans, directors, faculty and graduate students.

The WSSU nursing program is a community-based program. Nursing students and faculty are active in the African American community. Their services include hosting health fairs, working with grandparents who are raising grandchildren and working with Piedmont Park Public Housing Community.

"African Americans tend to do better seeking health care when there's an African American nurse. There's already a trust factor," Campbell said.

According to WSSU's 2006 annual report, nearly 1,600 students were accepted into the School of Health Sciences, which is the largest academic unit on campus. Eighty percent are nursing students. This number represents a 400 percent increase in the last five years. According to Campbell, 90 percent of graduates were employed within three months of graduation. 

Campbell credits the success of the program to the preparation of students and the diverse faculty. The video conference was sponsored by the WSSU Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Health Disparities.