ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the lived experience of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) nurses when applying to access training and professional development programmes within the existing National Health Service (NHS) structure. The term BME is normally used in the United Kingdom (UK) to describe people of non-white descent. Whilst the term BME is used in this chapter, I acknowledge that its use is problematic as it conflates physical characteristics with geographical identity and fails to recognise individuality which suggests that BME people are a homogenous group. Additionally, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people do not share the same experiences, therefore, the term BME is not equivalent in its usage. For the purpose of this chapter, the socially recognised concept which is used to describe the term ‘Black’ refers to persons with sub-Saharan African ancestral origins with brown or black complexion.
