Black Nurses in America: Past, Present, and Future

By: Michele Davis, APRN FNP-BC
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH)

Nursing is a calling, like a minister being called to ministry leadership and sharing the gospel. Nurses are called to serve the general population – no matter the culture, race, or gender identity. 

Nurses, in my opinion, are called to service.  

My Call to Serve

I got the call to serve a little later in life; I didn’t grow up wanting to be a nurse, it’s a second or third career choice, but once I began working in healthcare, I flourished. I say that because I was an extreme introvert who would barely speak in a soft-spoken voice to people, especially strangers. 

I got the nursing bug after working as a dialysis Patient Care Technician, I took a course for medical assistants and landed at Dialysis Clinic, Inc. at 6530 Troost in Kansas City. The patients brought me out of the shell I had hidden in most of my life, and they became my second family.

I loved them, and I loved the work so I went back to school starting as an LPN, because I felt RN school would be easier if I worked as a nurse while in school. Also, it just worked better for agency work while in school (more money) for our growing family. 

I got the Nurse Practitioner bug from volunteering for community service. My community partner was looking for physicians who would help during health fairs in the community that served the underprivileged and underserved populations on both sides of the state line, and they were struggling. I decided I would study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and I obtained an adviser at UMKC School of Medicine and started working toward completing the 16 science classes he advised me to take prior to taking the MCAT and applying for med school. 

The short of it is – it was a lot easier to apply for an advanced practice program since I already had a master’s degree in nursing. 

I love being a nurse and wish the profession was on my radar when I was in school but the counselors and educational system were different in my time for people who look like me.

Black Nurses – Important to the US Healthcare

As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s a good time to discuss how Black nurses have played a pivotal role in the American healthcare system throughout history, overcoming significant barriers to achieve recognition and respect.

In the past, during the era of segregation, Black nurses often faced discrimination and limited opportunities. 

Pioneers like Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African American licensed nurse in the US in 1879, paved the way for future generations by breaking down racial barriers and advocating for equality in nursing. Others were also impactful, like the founding members of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated. This organization was founded October 16, 1932, when the 12 founding members attempted to join the American Nurses Association and were denied membership. They were each registered nurses, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, working at the Freedman’s Hospital in Washington DC, now known as Howard University Hospital.

In the present, Black nurses continue to make significant contributions to healthcare across the US. 

They represent a vital workforce, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where their roles were and are crucial in both patient care and community outreach. Organizations like the National Black Nurses Association, founded September 2, 1972, have a mission to serve as the voice for African American nurses and diverse populations, ensuring equal access to professional development, promoting educational opportunities, addressing systemic issues in healthcare and improving health.

Looking to the future, the inclusion of more Black nurses in leadership roles across the country is essential. It’s crucial to foster a diverse workforce reflecting the communities served. By investing in education, mentorship, and advocacy, the future of Black nurses in America looks promising. African Americans who work in the field of nursing will continue to shape healthcare, ensuring equitable access and culturally competent care for all patients. Their journey embodies resilience and commitment to advancing health equity.

This is a personal perspective by Michele Davis who was invited to write about her views; but these views do not necessarily represent Kansas City Hospice or the opinions of its leadership or staff. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Employee Resource Group aims to represent and create conversation around the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of our team members.