The American Nurses Association (ANA) says they want to apologize for years of racism. They say they are ready to move forward after they apologized for purposely excluding black nurses and for not addressing more than a hundred years of systemic racism. Many nurses believe it is good that the nurse's group is apologizing but believe it is not enough. Many say that it will not heal all the wounds given to nurses of color.
Nurse Martin said that for the association to show they are sorry; they should start with improvements at a higher level. This should be done by including nurses of color in leadership positions in their organization. Racism among nurses in America is a concerning issue that can impact patient care and the overall work environment. It’s important for healthcare institutions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, while addressing any instances of racism through education, training, and policies.
Racism among nurses in America can lead to negative effects such as compromised patient care, reduced trust between healthcare providers and patients, lower job satisfaction among nurses of marginalized backgrounds, and an overall hostile work environment. Effectively addressing these issues would require a concerted effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare settings.
The ANA said they want to be more transparent in the race and ethnic makeup of their board members, diversify their governing structure, advocate for inclusion and representation in educational materials and display more work by nurses of color. Nurse Martin also said that nurses of color should advocate for themselves and should grow into leadership roles like she did.
The American Nurses Association acknowledged that racism still exists today. In a survey, they found out that there are three out of four nurses that experience racism in the workplace. Racial disparities and discrimination have been identified as significant challenges among American nurses.
Minority nurses often face unequal opportunities, wage gaps, and limited career advancement due to systemic racism. Efforts to address these disparities include promoting diversity in nursing education and leadership roles, providing cultural competency training, and fostering inclusive workplace environments. They also said they are collaborating with other bodies to address racism in the workplace.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes the importance of addressing racism in healthcare. They have initiatives and resources to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within nursing and advocate for anti-racist practices in healthcare settings. The ANA acknowledges that racism can contribute to health disparities and is committed to advancing social justice in the field of nursing.
American Nursing, ANA Apologizes for Excluding Black Nurses