Workforce utilization of visible and linguistic minorities in Canadian nursing

Abstract

Aim This study seeks to develop a diversity profile of the nursing workforce in Canada and its major cities. Background There is ample evidence of ethnic and linguistic segregation in the Canadian labour market. However, it is unknown if there is equitable representation of visible and linguistic minorities in nursing professions. Methods We cross‐tabulated aggregate data from Statistics Canada’s 2006 Census. Analyses examined the distribution of visible and linguistic minorities, including visible minority sub‐groups, among health managers, head nurses, registered nurses, licensed nurses and nurse aides for Canada and major cities as well as by gender. Results In Canada and its major cities, a pyramidal structure was found whereby visible and linguistic minorities, women in particular, were under‐represented in managerial positions and over‐represented in lower ranking positions. Blacks and Filipinos were generally well represented across nursing professions; however, other visible minority sub‐groups lacked representation. Conclusions Diversity initiatives at all levels can play a role in promoting better access to and quality of care for minority populations through the increased cultural and linguistic competence of care providers and organizations. Implications for Nursing Management Efforts to increase diversity in nursing need to be accompanied by commitment and resources to effectively manage diversity within organizations.

Workplace Integration: Key Considerations for Internationally Educated Nurses and Employers

“…They also find that even though IENs enter the profession with higher education, they are less likely to go on to pursue advanced degrees and receive promotions less frequently compared with their US educated peers. The consequence of fewer IENs in leadership roles is noted by Adeniran et al (2013) and supported by Premji and Etowa (2014), who document the concern about lower representation of visible minority nurses in leadership roles in Canada.…”

The relationship between the nursing environment and delivering culturally sensitive perinatal hospice care

“…Such a holistic, respectful approach can reduce health inequities and improve healthcare outcomes (United States Department of Health & Human Services 2014). Additionally, administrators are encouraged to hire diverse applicants with strong qualifications who may serve as cultural brokers to families served in the region (Premji and Etowa, 2014). …”

Understanding the invisibility of black nurse leaders using a black feminist poststructuralist framework

“…The challenge, however, is that there is a lack of diversity among nurse leaders. Moreover, there is a critical lack of representation of nurses from minority groups in higher level nursing positions and former leadership roles such as managers, charge nurses and registered nurses (Hagey et al., ; Premji & Etowa, ). The value attached to the visibility and representation of Black nurse leaders within health care cannot be overemphasised, as it has significant implications for Black nurses in practice as well as the Black community as a whole.…”

“…The value attached to the visibility and representation of Black nurse leaders within health care cannot be overemphasised, as it has significant implications for Black nurses in practice as well as the Black community as a whole. The presence and visibility of Black nurse leaders has the potential to inform policy, lead to culturally sensitive care and improve the well‐being of Black nurses (Premji & Etowa, ). Etowa, Wiens, Bernard, and Clow () conducted a mixed methods investigation guided by a Participatory Action Research approach to explore the intersections affecting the health of African Nova Scotian women, their families and communities.…”

“…Black nurses face a myriad of challenges in the nursing profession and more broadly in the health care system, including but not limited to discrimination, underrepresentation and invisibility (Calliste, ; Etowa, Sethi, & Thompson‐Isherwood, ; Flynn, ; Premji & Etowa, ). These challenges stem from the intersections of race, gender and class (Collins, ; Crenshaw, ), which then interact to oppress Black nurses in society and specifically within the nursing profession.…”