Retention and success of culturally diverse nursing students.

One of the major issues facing the future of the nursing profession is to increase the ethnic diversity of the nursing workforce (Institute of Medicine, 2010). The United States population is quickly becoming a nation of minorities (Sullivan Commission, 2004) and the nursing population must adapt in order to provide high quality, culturally competent care. Oklahoma's most recent population statistics indicate a dire need to focus on increasing the Black, Hispanic, and multiracial registered nurse populations. Nursing programs are challenged with this recommendation because culturally diverse students have lower retention rates and higher academic failure rates than Caucasian students. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe common barriers for culturally diverse nursing students and discover best practices to promote retention and success. The findings may be used to encourage further development of beneficial practices and programs within Oklahoma, as well as stimulate additional nursing research on cultural diversity.