Microaggressions: Black students' experiences - A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Studies in other disciplines have shown that Black college students experience microaggressions on campus. This affects campus learning climates, posing a risk to students' success.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this secondary analysis is to describe Black nursing students' experiences with microaggression at a predominantly white institution.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of a descriptive qualitative study, principles of thematic analysis were used to code, categorize, and synthesize interview data from 16 nursing alumni participants specifically to examine microaggression.

RESULTS

The thematic analysis of the data revealed microaggressive behaviors experienced by Black nursing students. Three salient themes emerged: microaggressions among peers, from faculty members to students, and in the clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

This study offers critical insights into the microaggressions that Black students experience. These microaggressions interfere with students' learning and highlight the need for academic institutions to take measures to dismantle these behaviors. These findings can illuminate to faculty and students the roles they play in perpetuating racism and subjecting students of color to detrimental psychological distress.