Thank you for making the time to investigate our little corner of the web. Ask anyone in this country and they will agree that the topic of healthcare is one of the most important on so many different levels. Whether we are talking about nursing shortages, the spiraling cost of healthcare or childhood obeisity, we can all agree that many challenges stand at the doorstep of our society. Arguably, all other issues stem from healthcare simply because it pervades every aspect of our lives. In order for our nation to flourish and reach its fullest potential, it will take new ways of thinking about healthcare and all of its nuances. New approaches and new solutions to our biggest problems can only be found by relying upon a diverse crop of talented individuals from all walks of life.
It is no secret that Corporate America is making a concerted effort to diversify its workforce. Since the mid-eighties, we have been introduced to terms like "diversity," "emerging markets" and "inclusion." To anyone who is paying attention (or even those who aren't), the complexion of America is changing and will continue to change. It comes as no surprise then that Corporate America would want to make sure that the people who represent their organizations reflect those who live in the communities that they serve. It just makes good business sense.
A huge myth is that it is difficult to reach minority groups with the Internet. That myth is disappearing more and more each year. The fact remains that everyone is rushing online, all the way from executives to the working class. Nielsen published the number of blue collared workers in March 2000 were 6.3 million and in March 2001 was 9.5 million. Simply put, this website aims to connect talented minorities with organizations who are striving to reflect the communities that they serve (specifically within the healthcare space).
There are over 5000 hospitals alone in the United States. All of which are in desperate need of very specialized yet very diverse talent. By now, most people will agree that there is a severe nursing shortage overall in this country. That shortage is only exacerbated when one looks at the numbers from a diversity perspective. To illustrate, let's look at some statistics:
There are 2,694,540 licensed registered nurses in the United States. Approximately 87% of all RNs are Caucasian; 4.9% are African American; 3.7% are Asian or Pacific Islander; 2% are Hispanic; 0.5% are American Indian or Alaska Native; and 1.2% categorize themselves as "multiracial" (two or more races). Approximately 146,902 RNs are men - only 5.4% of the total nursing population. Only 9.1% of all RNs are under the age of 30. The average age of the RN population in the United States is 45.2 years. 38% of male RNs are under 40 compared with 31% of female RNs. Twenty- one percent of male RNs are 50 years of age or older, compared with 34% of female RNs.
The Registered Nurse Population: Findings from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, March 2000. This survey is published approximately every four years by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing. The next edition of the survey is expected to be available in Spring 2005.
The need for diversity within healthcare does not stop at nursing. There still exists a strong need for minority representation at the professional level, but more importantly at the management and senior management levels within healthcare organizations.
In 1992, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) conducted a study with the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), the association of African-American health care executives, to measure the relative career advancement within their organizations.
In 1992, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) conducted a study with the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), the association of African-American health care executives, to measure the relative career advancement within their organizations.
The results from that study concluded that minorities represent more than 20 percent of hospital employees but less than 1 percent of them hold senior management level positions. A 1997 follow-up study was conducted to include Latinos and Asians. That study found that while the gap was not as wide as the previous study, clearly there were still serious deficiencies at the senior management level with these groups.
HealthDiversity.com is a place where the best and brightest minorities in healthcare can come to find jobs, network, read articles and share ideas. We here at HealthDiversity.com are committed to supporting you as you move forward in your career and we will make sure that your visit to this site will be worth your while. So come back often. For jobseekers: we hope to provide valuable connections that will help propel your career to the next level. For employers: we will strive to create a resource that will not only help you achieve your hiring goals, but also assist you in reflecting the communities that you serve.
Let's change the face of healthcare together. One person, one connection at a time.
Sincerely,
HealthDiversity.com
