Bearing witness in nursing practice: More than a moral obligation?

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the concept of bearing witness in nursing practice. We examine the description of bearing witness in the nursing literature, particularly that offered by William Cody who suggests that bearing witness results in the limited moral obligation of “true presence.” We then turn to Lorraine Code's work on testimony, drawing parallels between the concepts of testimony and bearing witness. Code suggests that receiving testimony results in a responsibility to respond, and that this is an ethico‐political obligation. We discuss these ideas in relation to a Canadian exemplar of witnessing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's work to understand and address the historical injustices done to Indigenous peoples in Canada. Here, we focus on the Commission's definition of witnessing and highlight the experience of Shelagh Rogers who served as an honorary witness. As an outcome of our analysis, we suggest that bearing witness in nursing practice is most usefully conceptualized as both a moral and a political obligation. Implications for nursing practice are suggested, including first, the need to critically examine our own understandings of power and privilege in order to authentically bear witness and avoid being complicit in injustice, and second, the concomitant responsibility to take action to challenge injustice once we have borne witness to it.

Nursing students’ experience of learning cultural competence

“…From an educational perspective, it is important to realise that student nurses witness unequitable care whilst on placement more or less frequently. According to Djkowich et al [ 53 ], bearing witness in nursing practice can be contextualised as a moral and a political obligation. When student nurses bear witness of suboptimal or unequitable care, they must be supported to critically examine their understanding of key issues, such as power and prejudice.…”

“…When student nurses bear witness of suboptimal or unequitable care, they must be supported to critically examine their understanding of key issues, such as power and prejudice. In fact, these authors go one step further and suggest that nurses who bear witness must also accept the “concomitant responsibility to take action to challenge injustice once we have borne witness to it” [ 53 ]. However, it must be taken into account that student nurses often find it difficult to challenge negative attitudes during practice placement.…”

The Prevalence and Predictors of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Registered Nurses in an Eastern Canadian Province: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This is due, in part, to the relational nature of nursing, which promotes nurses’ deep and meaningful connections with clients and coworkers ( Hartrick Doane & Varcoe, 2015 ; Zhang et al, 2018 ). But relational practice can also deplete nurses’ resources as they continually intervene and bear witness to extreme suffering and sorrow ( Djkowich et al, 2019 ; Hunsaker et al, 2015 ). Supporting nurses to manage the stress that is inherent in the practice of nursing is essential for the profession, and its members, to thrive.…”