Nursing Best Practices for Social Media
Let’s look at the pros and cons of social media for nurses, and how we can successfully navigate the complexities and legalities of personal and professional life.
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Across the nation, February is known as Black History Month. Each year Americans dedicate this month to studying the history and accomplishments of African Americans. That is why it seems fitting to look at the state of racial relations in the profession today. Is there racism in nursing?
Racism is a set of beliefs, behaviors, or attitudes that people from any industry, workplace, or community may hold. Individuals from all walks of life may exhibit racism. And unfortunately, healthcare and the nursing profession are affected, even in today’s modern society.
If you want to know the how, where, and what you can do about racism in nursing, read on.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, racism occurs when people or institutions show more favorable treatment of an individual or group based on race or ethnicity. Well-known American author, professor, and anti-racist activist Ibram X. Kendi said racism is a marriage of racist policies and ideas that produce and normalize inequities. Racism can manifest at different levels. Beliefs and attitudes can be internal, interpersonal, or systemic.
Regardless of where or how racism shows up, it has detrimental effects. Studies have shown that racism negatively impacts health in these ways:
Nurses undoubtedly see the effects of racism in caring for the public. But do nurses themselves experience racism directly in their practice? Studies show that overwhelmingly, nurses do see and experience nursing on the job.
One year ago, leading nursing organizations joined forces to launch the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. As it’s called, the Commission was tasked with examining the issue of racism in nursing nationwide. Since beginning their work, they’ve uncovered some interesting findings. The Commission published results from a recent survey of 5600 nurses that found startling statistics:
A racist belief system can show up in many places. In the profession of nursing, nurses may experience racist attitudes or actions from patients and families, peers, or even management.
In 2020, The American Nurses Association (ANA) 2020 Membership Assembly Stated declared racism a public health crisis. It further said that racism impacts all people’s mental, spiritual, and physical health.
These findings suggest that, yes, there is, in fact, a significant problem with racism in nursing. We can also agree that this is a problem that deserves our attention. As a profession, we must combat individual and systemic racism. But first, nurses have to know what it looks like and the forms it takes.
Nurses can find racism on every rung in the career ladder. At a recent nursing conference, Marcus Henderson, MSN, RN, said that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) nursing students face racism even in nursing school. He listed some of the following unfair assumptions and barriers:
After graduation, he says wage disparities and outright denial of advancement opportunities are racial discrimination. As a result, less than 1% of university deans and chief nursing officers come from diverse backgrounds.
Nurses have a professional responsibility to fight racism. The revised Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 4th Edition (2021) Code of Ethics obligates all nurses to:
Moreover, nurses have a position of influence. They can change the culture and the future. Here are three more ways nurses can fight against racism.
In summary, nurses can use their influence professionally and personally to fight racism. We can stand up for those affected, including ourselves. And we can work together to make workplaces better. As we reflect on the history and accomplishments of our black brothers and sisters this month, let’s stand with them to fight racism.
Have you witnessed racism on the job? Share your experience and how you dealt with it. And share this post with your team to start important conversations.
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