Understanding about the experience of underrepresented students making the decision to choose nursing as a career would improve the ability of nursing programs to recruit applicants from a more diverse background. The purpose of this research was to explore the experience of underrepresented students who are considering nursing as a career but have not yet applied to a nursing program. This research was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological research method. Thirteen participants participated in the study. The participant interviews were interpreted as an expression of pre-nursing students from racially or ethnically underrepresented backgrounds who are feeling they are in a stressful situation and who are experiencing a feeling of isolation and a perception of discrimination. Highlighted is the need for promotion of improved patterns of responding for the staff and faculty of nursing programs, promotion of counseling services, as well as evidence based recruitment efforts. By critically reflecting upon the status quo of the experience of being a pre-nursing student, inequities and injustices can be brought to light and potentially remedied. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]