The latest survey by the nursing regulatory body UKCC has revealed a higher level of nurses from ethnic minority communities than in the overall UK population.

The UKCC's first ethnic monitoring survey shows nurses with an African-Caribbean background topping the poll, followed by those from China or of Chinese descent. However, people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are still under-represented in the nursing profession.

So, does this mean that the NHS has become a real employer of choice, and does it show that proper equality of opportunity can exist if progressive employment policies are followed? Perhaps not. Nurses with an ethnic minority background are often under-represented in senior posts, and nearly 30% of black nurses are due to retire over the next 10 years. So much of the progress represented by this survey was achieved some years ago.

So what tips should nurses from ethnic minorities follow if they are seeking to enter or climb the ladder of the nursing profession?

• Entering the profession is quite a different matter from making substantial progress. Most Trusts have well-developed equality of opportunity policies, monitor their intakes carefully and many, especially in the South-East of England, have implemented initiatives specifically designed to encourage ethnic minority applicants and returners.

   

• Making progress beyond junior grades requires a different approach. It's important to ensure you have the right qualifications and experience for your chosen path, and to be clear about the direction you want your career to follow. Many nurses, even those who have ended up in senior management roles, confess that they have not planned their career early enough, nor kept an eye on the kind of clinical experience they needed to acquire to make progress.

   

• Although time may be short and family commitments may get in the way, it's important to carry on learning, to read professional journals and to stay in touch with developments within your respective hospital, practice or community setting. Although resources may be short, this is rarely an excuse to stay behind the curve.

Qualified nurses and other healthcare professionals - from ethnic minorities or not - can go straight to the search facility and browse the extensive range of jobs available. Or why not read some more about the healthcare world in our Healthcare community?

Those wanting to join or return to the nursing profession can get more advice and guidance from www.nhscareers.nhs.uk. This site is full of case studies and details of how to apply to join the National Health Service.

Finally, if you are concerned about racial discrimination, or any other subject related to race and employment, you can contact the Commission for Racial Equality on www.cre.gov.uk.

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