HispanicBusiness

Even as the demand for health care continues to increase, the number of qualified Hispanic nurses lags behind, according to a recent study of the nursing industry in the Los Angeles area.

The findings not only highlight problems in healthcare, they shed light on the issue of unequal access to higher education for minority populations. Hispanics represent only 13 percent of Los Angeles nurses, according to the study conducted by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute. Headquartered at the University of Southern California, the Institute is a nonprofit, research-based organization focused on issues involving Hispanic communities.

Interviews for the study helped identify multiple barriers Hispanics face that lead to difficulty passing licensing exams and often delay of graduation. Seventy-four percent of respondents noted the lack of time to study due to family obligations as a barrier to becoming a nurse. Respondents also noted difficulty getting admitted to nursing schools (61.8 percent), lack of financial support (51.3 percent), and lack of academic preparation (39.5 percent).