Louisiana HBCU Records Historic Cohort of Black Male Nurses

• A Louisiana historically Black university and college recently enrolled its largest cohort of Black male nurses.
• Southern University and A&M College also was a recent recipient of a $339,000 grant from the American Nurses Foundation.
• The grant support is helping the school’s College of Nursing and Allied Health increase diversity in the workforce.

The historically Black university and college that received a $339,000 grant from the American Nurses Foundation is making history. 

Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recently announced its largest cohort of Black male nurses.

“I think now other males, younger Black males, older males having the opportunity to see what we’re doing here is only going to ignite a fire in them and say we have the opportunity to decide our own story and not allow the world to make that decision for us,” nursing student Ray Washington told ABC affiliate WBRZ. 

Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON), with 33 students in the historic cohort, is the “largest producer” of Black nurses in Louisiana, according to Sandra C. Brown, DNS, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN, the dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health at SUSON. She said in a news release that support from the ANF is helping them increase diversity in the workforce to “improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.” 

History of ANF Grant

The three-year grant partnership, “Diversify Nursing Research through Support of Minority Institutions,” is part of the ANF’s response to insights from the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. 

SUSON’s proposal was selected “due to its comprehensive approach” that included faculty, students, and early advance career nurses, the ANF stated in a news release. 

Participating students and faculty will “examine relationships between workplace racism, perceived stress, and health promoting life-style behaviors among [Black] RNs employed in acute care setting,” ANA stated. It will dive into personal experiences with racism and “factors that contribute to their [Black nurses’] overall perception of stress.” 

Demographics of Black Male Nurses

The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses reported that as of March 2024 only 11% of nurses are Black, while men as a whole make up just 12% of the RN population. 

Anthony Pierson, RN, told his alma mater Herzing University that a “lack of opportunity” is a key factor in the lower number of Black male nurses, stating that socioeconomic background can prevent people of color from pursuing the career field. 

However, he said those who do pursue nursing shouldn’t take the responsibility lightly. 

“For the most part, the population I’m serving looks a lot more like me than my Caucasian, female counterparts, which means I’m able to relate to them on a different level,” Pierson stated. “That’s not to say that other nurses can’t develop that same sensitivity, but as a Black male nurse, I have a distinct and different perspective. I take that responsibility very seriously.” 

Other Diversity, Inclusion Efforts in Nursing

The University of Cincinnati’s College of Nursing has been recognized for its diversity and inclusion efforts for the past decade. It received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for the 10th year in a row, according to a news release.

In Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center just launched the Creating Inclusive Learning Algorithm tool to help ensure “inclusive learning environments.”

“These are spaces where all individuals are respected, treated equitably, invited, and welcomed to contribute, ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities to achieve,” a news release stated. “Establishing inclusive learning environments requires purposeful intention, honoring and affirming differences, creating structure for respectful communication, and removing barriers to full engagement.” 

The Bottom Line

Southern University and A&M College made history with its largest cohort of Black male nurses. The historic feat comes just months after the college’s school of nursing received a $339,000 grant from the American Nurses Foundation to study workplace racism and its effects on the Black male nurse population. The grant is part of a focus on increasing minority representation in the workforce. 

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