"In March 2000, an estimated 86.6 percent of the RN population reported being white (non-Hispanic), while 12.3 percent reported being in one or more of the identified racial and ethnic minority groups. An additional 1.1 percent of the respondents chose not to report their racial and ethnic background. In 1996, an estimated 10.3 percent reported being in one of the racial/ethnic minority groups identified.
Respondents to the 2000 survey reported the following: 4.9 percent or 133,041 reported being Black/ African American (non-Hispanic); 3.5 percent or 93,415 reported being Asian; 2.0 percent or 54,861 reported being Hispanics; 0.5 percent or 13,040 reported being American Indian/Alaska Native; 0.2 percent reported being Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; and 1.2 percent reported being of two or more racial backgrounds.....
An estimated 333,368 RNs, (12 percent) came from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. Of these RNs, 133,041 were African American/Black (non-Hispanic);
93,415 were Asian; 54,861 were Hispanic/Latino; and, 13,040 were American Indians/Alaska Natives. ......
RNs from minority backgrounds were more likely than non-minority nurses to be employed in nursing and to work full time. Eighty-six percent of minority nurses
were employed in nursing compared with 81 percent of non-minority nurses. Minority nurses employed in nursing were also more likely than non-minority nurses
to be employed full time. The percentage of the workforce employed full time ranged from 77 percent for Hispanic/Latino RNs to 86 percent for African....Chart 12 illustrates how racial/ethnic groups compare in terms of highest educational preparation. Asians, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders; and African
Americans/Blacks were more likely than all other nurses to have at least baccalaureate preparation. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, African
American/Black, and white nurses were the racial/ethnic groups with the highest percentages of masters or doctoral degrees." 
The Registered Nurse Population National Sample Survey of 
Registered Nurses - March 2000
Preliminary Findings - February 2001. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing;     Cited at Nurseweek