This paper presents the findings of the lived experience of black and minority ethnic (BME) nurses when applying to access training and development programmes in the National Health Service (NHS). Research has shown that black nurses in particular, are less likely to be selected for training and development programmes when compared to their white counterparts which can impact on the quality of care given to patients. Despite interventions in place to promote equal opportunities, oppressive practices persist. A conceptual model of issues to be considered in the development of an equality framework has been proposed to help facilitate improvement in training opportunities for black nurses. The framework has been proposed on the basis that taking a collective approach to a longstanding problem to include stakeholders such as black nurses, NHS Trusts and the Government, may help towards improving training opportunities for black and minority ethnic nurses.