Abstract
The underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority nurses and other health professions has been linked to the continued disparities in health outcomes for these populations (Institute of Medicine. Unequal Treatment. Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2002). Strategies to reduce health disparities, such as increasing the cultural competence of majority nurses, often depend on leaders of the same racial and ethnic groups to provide leadership in research, education, practice, and communities. However, little is known about the leadership pathways of racial and ethnic minority nurses. In this descriptive study, 22 Hispanic nurse leaders completed an open-ended survey related to their definitions of leadership, and challenges and opportunities in their leadership development. Although there are similarities in many aspects of leadership development, the lack of Hispanics in the workplace, the ability and responsibilities related to being bilingual and bicultural, and perceived discrimination in the work setting are additional challenges identified by Hispanic nurses. The importance of role models and mentors in facilitating leadership development is a dominant theme. Results of this study provide direction not only for the development of leadership for Hispanic nurses but also for other racial and ethnic minority nurses.