Speaking a common language: improving access, recruitment and retention of BME students on degree Nursing courses

Abstract This study aimed to explore barriers and enhancers to access, recruitment and retention of students from BME groups on Nursing degree courses. It sought to provide insight, from the seldom heard, BME students’ perspectives, into why BME groups are underrepresented on Nursing degree courses and to generate strategies, policies and actions aimed at improving access, recruitment and retention of students from these communities on Nursing degree courses when Nursing is an all-degree subject. Focus groups and interviews were used to seek the views of BME students. The study concluded that individual lecturers and universities needed to be more culturally competent.