Since the era of slavery, discrimination towards people of color has been at the forefront of our society. Racism has created endless barriers that have stopped our nation from reaching equality in many areas that affect each one of our daily lives. One field, healthcare, has become consumed by the effects of racial bias and as a result has seen many racial disparities. From nurses of color to patients of color, the delivery of and access to healthcare in our society has turned an environment meant for healing, into an environment of distrust and neglect. Through this paper, impacts on nurses, patients, and how this issue can be resolved will be addressed. To begin, what is racism and how has it negatively affected our nation’s healthcare system? …show more content…
On the other end, nurses of color often receive poor treatment from coworkers and patients, unequal opportunities to advance their careers, and are generally underrepresented in the healthcare field. Nurses of color face systemic racism and challenges within the healthcare system because of deeply instilled discriminatory practices. According to statistics, nurses of color only make up 30.4% of all nurses in the United States (Zauderer, 2023). This disproportionate number of nurses of color has severely impacted their voice, resulting in worsened treatment by their superiors and coworkers. One study states that “the nurses in this study described discriminatory practices that thwarted upward mobility. Over time, these practices escalated from petty harassment to outright conflict and hostile maneuvers from superiors, leading them to file formal complaints or grievances because they were being subjected to excessive supervision and punitive reprimands” (Hagey, …show more content…
Furthermore, this persistent level of racism has been shown to not only be due to the racist practices embedded in our society, but also the inability of nursing schools to prevent discriminatory practices in this field. A study on nursing schools stated that out of 1,000 nurses, “44% believe racism or discrimination was part of their nursing school’s culture” (Watkins, 2023). The first step in creating a more equal and representative environment for nurses of color is to create a learning environment for nursing students of color to feel confident in their career path and give them the ability to advance their career. One student from Watkin’s article stated that while “going through nursing school, [she] never heard or learned about one Black nurse in history that contributed to anything”. Later, the same student stated that “many African American nurses who are very qualified in terms of degrees and experience do not get the opportunity for promotion” (Watkins,
Roberts, S. J., DeMarco, R., & Griffin, M. (2009, January). The effect of oppressed group behaviours on the culture of the nursing workplace: A review of the evidence and interventions for change. Journal of Nursing Management, 17 (3), 288–293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2008.00959.x
Throughout American history, relationships between racial and ethnic groups have been marked by antagonism, inequality, and violence. In today’s complex and fast-paced society, historians, social theorists and anthropologists have been known to devote significant amounts of time examining and interrogating not only the interior climate of the institutions that shape human behavior and personalities, but also relations between race and culture. It is difficult to tolerate the notion; America has won its victory over racism. Even though many maintain America is a “color blind nation,” racism and racial conflict remain to be prevalent in the social fabric of American institutions. As a result, one may question if issues and challenges regarding the continuity of institutional racism still exist in America today. If socialization in America is the process by which people of various ethnicities and cultures intertwine, it is vital for one to understand how the race relations shape and influence personalities regarding the perceptions of various groups. Heartbreaking as it is, racism takes a detour in acceptance of its blind side. Further, to better understand racism one must take into account how deeply it entrenched it is, not only in politics, and economics but also Health Care settings. In doing so, one will grasp a decisive understanding of "who gets what and why.” The objective of this paper is to explore and examine the pervasiveness of racism in the health care industry, while at the same time shed light on a specific area of social relations that has remained a silence in the health care setting. The turpitude feeling of ongoing silence has masked the treatment black patients have received from white health care providers...
So, organizations need to educate all nurses of all levels about all forms of discriminatory behaviours occurred in workplaces (Hagey et. al). Moreover, nursing leaders can urge the organizations to develop anti-discrimination policies and support IENs, who face workplace racial discrimination, to report and seek legal justice (CNFU, 2007). It helps enhance patient safety, quality care and also increases inter-professional collaboration. Nursing leaders should take step to ensure that IENs are treated equitably in all health care setting (Franklin et al….). Further, they can promote positive organizational culture to IENs by ensuring equitable treatment in the workplace. Encouraging cultural sharing during formal meetings as well as informal gatherings helps IENs explore Canadian culture also the role of leader in organizational level. Finally, nursing leaders have to sit to talk with the employers to provide sufficient opportunities and resources to help flourish their professional skills then only quality care and patient safety can be
The disparities in the healthcare system contribute to the overall health status disparities that affect ethnic and racial minorities. The sources of ethnic and racial healthcare disparities include cultural barriers, geography differences, or healthcare provider stereotyping. In addition, difficulties in communication between health care providers and patients, lack of access to healthcare providers, and lack of access to adequate health care coverage
Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Taylor, Elizabeth Johnson. (2001) Spiritual Care: Nursing Theory, Research and Practice, Prentice Hall.
Studies have analyzed how African Americans deal with an enormous amount of disease, injury, death, and disability compared to other ethnic group, and whites, Utilization of health services by African Americans is less frequent than other ethnic groups in the country. This non utilization of services contributes to health disparities amongst African Americans in the United States. Current and past studies have shown that because of discrimination, medical mistrust, racial/ethnic background, and poor communication African Americans tend to not seek medical care unless they are in dire need or forced to seek professional care. African Americans would rather self –medicate than to trust a doctor who might show some type of discriminatory
Puzan (2003, p. 197) discusses racial stratification being responsible for organizing social relations, meaning that through language and practice, nurses participate in the production and maintenance of patient identities. Nurses are vulnerable to interacting and responding to patients with unconscious biases, relying on embedded and accepted stereotypes. Racial health care inequality is a multidimensional problem, with barriers to health care involving the health care system, the patient, community, and health care providers themselves. A lack of awareness and education pertaining to issues of race, racism, and whiteness contribute to poor perceptions are being addressed within Australian nursing curriculum (Van Den Berg, 2010, p. 2). The relationship between health and racism has been found as the cause of persistent health differences by racial or ethnic classification and racism is identified as the root cause of the extreme socio-economic and health disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal Australians (Larson et al, 2007, p. 26). Possessing a diversity and cross cultural competency is important, as is paying attention to systemic policies and procedures that negatively impact a nurse’s ability to provide adequate care to people of all races.
Healthcare disparities are when there are inequalities or differences of the conditions of health and the quality of care that is received among specific groups of people such as African Americans, Caucasians, Asians, or Hispanics. Not only does it occur between racial and ethnic groups, health disparities can happen between males and females as well. Minorities have the worst healthcare outcomes, higher death rates, and are more prone to terminal diseases. For African American men and women, some of the most common health disparities are diabetes, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and HIV infections. Some factors that can contribute to disparities are healthcare access, transportation, specialist referrals, and non-effective communication with patients. There is also much racism that still occurs today, which can be another reason African Americans may be mistreated with their healthcare. “Although both black and white patients tended not to endorse the existence of racism in the medical system, African Americans patients were more likely to perceive racism” (Laveist, Nickerson, Bowie, 2000). Over the years, the health care system has made improvements but some Americans, such as African Americans, are still being treating unequally when wanting the same care they desire as everyone else.
Angelou once said, “The people may forget the nurses name, but they will never forget how that nurse made them feel.” Nursing is a profession. Unfortunately, nursing does not always get the credit it deserves because of these stereotypes. Nursing is not a gay profession for males. Due to the shortage of nurses, our society needs more nurses now than never. Nurses make a difference in almost every person’s lives just not in hospital rooms but also in schools and clinics. Nursing in not easy job but somebody has to do it. There has to those individuals who must take on this challenge and be the difference in someone’s life. People could not care if someone considers them a failure for being a nurse and not a doctor. Most doctors could not do their job effectively without the help and assistance of nurses. The money is there for those who think nurses does not get paid that much. Healthcare is one of the biggest factors in our world, and for our world to progress further, an increase in employment for nursing is necessary. These stereotypes should not and will not stop the field of nursing from
In recent discussions of health care disparities, a controversial issue has been whether racism is the cause of health care disparities or not. On one hand, some argue that racism is a serious problem in the health care system. From this perspective, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) states that there is a big gap between the health care quality received by minorities, and the quality of health care received by non-minorities, and the reason is due to racism. On the other hand, however, others argue that health care disparities are not due to racism. In the words of Sally Satel, one of this view’s main proponents, “White and black patients, on average don’t even visit the same population of physicians” (Satel 1), hence this reduces the chances of racism being the cause of health care disparities. According to this view, racism is not a serious problem in the health care system. In sum, then, the issue is whether racism is a major cause of health care disparities as the Institute of Medicine argues or racism is not really an issue in the health care system as suggested by Sally Satel.
Nurses continually strive to bring holistic, efficient, and safe care to their patients. However, if the safety and well-being of the nurses are threatened or compromised, it is difficult for nurses to work effectively and efficiently. Therefore, the position of the American Nurses Association (ANA) advocate that every nursing professional have the right to work in a healthy work environment free of abusive behavior such as bullying, hostility, lateral abuse and violence, sexual harassment, intimidation, abuse of authority and position and reprisal for speaking out against abuses (American Nurses Association, 2012).
Despite the substantial developments in diagnostic and treatment processes, there is convincing evidence that ethnic and racial minorities normally access and receive low quality services compared to the majority communities (Lum, 2011). As such, minority groups have higher mortality and morbidity rates arising from both preventable and treatable diseases judged against the majority groups. Elimination of both racial and ethnic disparities is mainly politically sensitive, but plays an important role in the equitable access of services, including the health care ones without discrimination. In addition, accountability, accessibility, and availability of equitable health care services are crucial for the continually growing
Many people believe that racism is no longer present; however, racism is subtly interconnected with many aspects of ever person’s life, including school, upper mobility, access to services and their race many times determine the proper care given by a health care professional. Based on research, racism is interconnected with mental health care. This essay will offer a theoretical explanation that allows social workers a better understanding to clinician’s misdiagnosis of ethnic minorities. Critical Race Theory permits clinicians to purposely or unintentionally misdiagnoses ethnic minorities and will be used in understanding how racism ingrained in the mental health care system.
Some of these barriers can include discrimination and stereotyping between coworkers and also between patients and the healthcare staff. According to Andrews and Boyle (2016), gender can become a barrier for female nurses with males being paid a higher wage and receiving promotions quicker than females. Affirmative action is a policy that provides equal opportunities without being discriminated against (Adrews & Boyle, 2016). However, discrimination can happen when an employer is required to hire a certain percentage of minorities within their company instead of being able to actually hire the best candidate for the job based on experience, work ethic, or education. Role stereotyping can also hinder the workforce. Many see the traditional role of a nurse as being a female and a male being a physician. Many patients will assume that a male entering their room is a physician and therefore have more respect for them and their knowledge as opposed to a nurse. Hatred toward coworkers due to prejudice and discrimination can also play a barrier to diversity. Many employees can show negatively toward specific groups such as, homosexuals or Muslims due to feelings related to previous interactions or behaviors with certain cultures (VanLaer, & Janssens, 2011). Although there are many more barriers in diversity, it is obvious that we need to continue to work on awareness toward other
In the healthcare system, it is needed even more. Many healthcare facilities need to have their workforce diverse in order to reap benefits. In the 2000 U.S. Census, African Americans accounted for nearly 12.7 percent of the workforce, that number hasn’t increased exponentially today. Many minorities are underrepresented in the healthcare workforce, which can affect delivery of healthcare. Some benefits that many organizations see from a diverse work environment are: varied ideas, a larger talent pool, reduced discrimination, and more productivity. These benefits can impact the healthcare delivery system by improving quality of care and quality in the