Respect for persons extends to all individuals with whom the nurse interacts .
Want to Stop Racism in Nursing ?
Start in Nursing Schools
By Kenya Beard
I
first learned about the Code of Ethics for Nurses when I was in nursing school . As my career progressed from an emergency department nurse to my current role as dean of Mercy University ’ s School of Nursing , I continued to reference the Code as a guide that transcends tenure , expertise , or position .
I often ponder one sentence : “ Respect for persons extends to all individuals with whom the nurse interacts .” As a nurse who identifies as African American , that wasn ’ t the case for myself or many of my colleagues . Nurses from minoritized groups tell me they experience prejudice at macro and micro levels because of the color of their skin . The reality is that nurses from minoritized groups are subjected to racism from colleagues , managers , and nurse leaders .
Racism in nursing is a problem and the statistics reveal how pervasive it is . According to the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing ( 2021 ) survey of more than 5,600 nurses , 63 % of nurses have personally experienced racism in the workplace . That number rises to 92 % of Black nurses , 73 % of Asian nurses , and 69 % of Hispanic nurses . One nurse said , “ I have been called the ‘ n ’ word by multiple patients on multiple occasions . I have been called ‘ colored ’ by a nurse manager .” Racism negatively and deeply affects nurses ’ professional well-being , mental and physical health , and their willingness to continue in the profession .
In this still uncertain time , we see hope for the future . Nursing organizations and accreditors have called on nursing programs to address structural racism and implicit bias across the nursing curriculum . You are the future of nursing and what you learn and do will affect nurses and patients for generations to come . If you learn how to advance humanism and extinguish racism , incorporating what you learn throughout your career , you can help change the world .
Leading organizations including the American Nurses Association ( ANA ), National Black Nurses Association , National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations , and National Association of Hispanic Nurses launched the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing ( the Commission ) to examine and confront racism ’ s impact on the profession . Together they lead a national movement to create safe and liberating environments as well as an antiracist profession for all nurses .
As an educator , I feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure students entering nursing un-
Respect for persons extends to all individuals with whom the nurse interacts .
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