Rejecting the myth of equal opportunity: an agenda to eliminate racism in nursing education in the United States

Abstract

Background Unfortunately, racism and discrimination against Ethnic minority (EM) has been globalized, universally infecting industries worldwide, and the field of nursing has not been spared. In the United States (US), overt and institutionalized racism (IR) still permeates the fields of nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing education. Programs to address these disparities, and efforts by nursing professional societies and nursing education policymaking bodies to address racism in the nursing field, specifically with nursing leadership and education, have met with little success. Objective The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the existence and magnitude of racism and its impact on the fields of nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing education, and to make evidence-based recommendations for an agenda for reforming nursing education in the US. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted with a focus on pulling together the strongest evidence on which to base policy recommendations. Results Based on the available literature, we put forth five recommendations aimed at modifying nursing education in the US as a strategy to counter IR in the US in the nursing field. Conclusions Recommendations to address IR in nursing focus on nursing education, and involve implementing programs to address the lack of opportunity for both EM students and faculty in nursing, developing an anti-discriminatory pedagogy, and incorporating diversity initiatives as key performance indicators (KPIs) in the process of approval and accreditation of nursing programs.

Diversity and Inclusion or Tokens? A Qualitative Study of Black Women Academic Nurse Leaders in the United States

“…The superficial appearance of diversity, in reference to the theme An Illusion of Diversity and Inclusion While Trying to Survive, was examined by Iheduru-Anderson and Wahi (2021) , and the lack of representation of Black women in academic nursing leadership has been reported on extensively ( Beard & Julion, 2016 ; Iheduru-Anderson et al, 2021 ; Villarruel & Broome, 2020 ). In a Canadian study, in reference to the theme of Choosing My Battles Carefully, Black women faculty also reported not responding to racist actions ( Henry, 2015 ).…”

“…It was observed by Iheduru-Anderson and Wahi (2021) that teaching “cultural competence,” which had been the intended remedy for racism in nursing, failed to address the problem, and appears to have exacerbated it. They recommend changing the approach to focus efforts instead on supporting and developing Black nursing faculty and faculty leaders (as well as Black nursing students), creating, and supporting anti-discriminatory pedagogy, and subjecting nursing programs to define and meet key performance indicators associated with inclusion in order to be approved and continue operating ( Iheduru-Anderson & Wahi, 2021 ). Anti-racism and anti-sexism faculty training has been shown to be successful in academia ( Carnes et al, 2012 ), specifically academic nursing ( Hassouneh, 2006 ; Schroeder & DiAngelo, 2010 ).…”

“…Anti-racism and anti-sexism faculty training has been shown to be successful in academia ( Carnes et al, 2012 ), specifically academic nursing ( Hassouneh, 2006 ; Schroeder & DiAngelo, 2010 ). As multiple nursing organizations have taken the position that they promote the elimination of racism in nursing, it follows that they would likely endorse the use of inclusivity key performance indicators to improve the quality of nursing education should any be developed ( Iheduru-Anderson & Wahi, 2021 ).…”

Antitrust as Antiracism: Antitrust as a Partial Cure for Systemic Racism (and Other Systemic “Isms”)

“…128 Nurses of color still face various forms of racism within the industry today. 129 One article explains, "Despite the relentless efforts and progress made over the years, it's still not uncommon for black nurses to face discrimination in the workplace, especially from patients." 130 Minority nurses experience inequity in the form of professional barriers to entering nursing leadership or serving on nursing faculties.…”

Systemic Racism in Canadian Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Study with Therapists

“…Systemic racism is evident in the health professions. In nursing, the culture of white dominance results not only in the lack of racialized nurses in leadership roles ( Iheduru-Anderson & Wahi, 2021 ; Premji & Etowa, 2014 ), but also in racialized nurses experiencing hostility and microaggressions from both patients and coworkers ( Cottingham et al., 2018 ). The only study of racism in Canadian physiotherapy highlighted the whiteness of the profession ( Vazir et al, 2019 ).…”