Diversity In Nursing

In the last twenty years, the rising number of disparities in health and healthcare has increased simultaneously with the influx of minorities within the population (Baldwin, 2003) A4. As the size of an ethnically diverse population steadily continues to increase, so will the level of complexities of patients’ health needs, which nurses and other healthcare staff will be expected to address (Black, 2008) A1. The issue of racial, ethnic and health disparities for minorities exists for several complex reasons, however, even with this being widely known, very little action has been taken to try and correct it (Baldwin, 2003) A4. Research findings suggest that without actively implementing cultural diversity within the healthcare workforce, quality in healthcare will decline while health disparities continue to rise (Lowe & Archibald, 2009) A3. So although the shortage of nursing staff should be a high-priority for change in the U.S., the need for more registered nurses with racially

There are disparities in healthcare between different races, ages, genders, etc., and these issues need to be addressed. The Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPHF) has a diversity code. They emphasize the importance of cultural competency and the value of diversity. Cultural competency is viewed as a core element for the fulfillment of the healthcare needs of people around the world. “In fact, diversity is the lens through which we must view people's healthcare needs. The Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPHF) celebrates, respects, and values the inherent worth of every individual, and is committed to promoting the inclusion of every single person in the healthcare system” (NPHF, 2015). Allowing APRNs to practice to the full

As the United States becomes more and more culturally diverse one cannot help but be exposed to various cultures and worldviews. America has long been called the melting pot, and that term has never been truer than it is today. According to Green and Reinckens (2013) the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2041 the U.S. population will be a majority minority. In other words, less than half of the population will be non-Hispanic, single race Caucasian. This growing diversity makes cultural competence in healthcare a necessary

In an acute care setting nurses are underpaid and overworked. Nurses walk hallways all day. They look in on all patients. Nurses change patient’s clothes, they help them bathe, dress and go to the restroom. Nurses ensure that all patients are fed three times a day. Although many healthcare organizations deny it discrimination of all sorts still occur. Labor unions are kept busy especially with nurses. One of the ongoing issues with nurses is racial discrimination. Minorities are hired as nurses in healthcare organizations but African-Americans are still the minority when it comes to nurses especially in the emergency department. According to Flynn (2016, p. 288), hiring minorities still exist especially in healthcare organizations. This is when the union steps in. Unions stay abreast of all job openings. They ensure that the requirements stay the same, and especially the pay scale. Other issues as part of the collective bargaining agreement is job security, and ensuring that during a strike nurses will not be fired or replaced (Flynn).

As a nurse aide working in a hospital, there are multiple instances where privilege and differences in power affect the way I, and those around me, engage with patients. For the privilege memo, I wish to discuss how my own personal benefits of being a white person affect the patients I work with as well as other minorities. For the community profile, I plan to take a deeper look into the black community, if possible specifically Somalian Americans. There are numerous new Somalian Americans in the Fargo community that I have encountered before both in and out of the health care systems. Delving into their experiences with health care in the America will aide my attempt to educate myself about minorities in health care environments both nationally and

In reading your post, it was great at pointing out specific programs and opportunities already in the works to improve diversity among nursing students. Cowen and Moorhead (2011) identify some barriers that underrepresented students face that include faculty attitudes and inadequacies in meeting minority students needs, a lack of minority faculty to serve as mentors, and failure of the program to include diversity in the curriculum of culture, values, attributes, and orientation. Each of these barriers needs to be addressed by nurse educators and administrators to increase success of minority students in the nursing program. Retaining students is an area that also needs attention for the underrepresented students, and the presented idea of

I consider myself to be a fairly traditional American white woman, with non-denominational Christian beliefs. My ethnicity is sort of a mixture of Irish, German, Native American and a few others, but my main cultural background is traditional American. I do not put a lot of emphasis on my ethnicity, because in my opinion and the opinion of many others as well, Caucasian American can be race and ethnicity. I celebrate traditional American holidays such as Christmas, Independence Day and Thanksgiving. I do eat traditional American foods, but I also love ethnic foods of all kinds. According to McKinney, James, Murray, Nelson and Ashwill (2013), “Belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God and the Messiah comprises the central core of Christianity” and “Study of biblical scripture; practicing faith, good works, and sacramental rites (e.g., baptism, communion, and others); and prayer are common among most Christian faiths” (p.44). I am non-denominational; however, I do believe this statement sums up the main core of my beliefs. I pray, I have been baptized, I believe in good deeds, and attending church. The only difference is that I do not believe that you must attend church or partake in communion to have a relationship with God; I believe that relationship is rather personal. Now in terms of American culture in the healthcare setting, Euromed Info Online indicates that Western industrialized societies such as the United States, which

Although African-Americans represent the largest minority group, studies show they have the lowest success rates in nursing programs. According to the AACN (2013), “African-American nursing students have the lowest graduation rate when compared to other minority groups”. The lack of minorities providing care negatively effects healthcare outcomes and accessibility. In order to increase the number of African-Americans nurses practicing, it is essential to gain an understanding of the conditions that lead to successes and failures. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into the positive and negative experiences had by African-American nursing students, for development of appropriate interventions to increase the number of successful graduates.

A reformation of the achievement levels of African-Americans starts through the investment of high achieving mentors, families, and friends. It begins with African-Americans straying away from statistical choices, such as placing improper value on education, community involvement, and health. The overcoming of such adversities involved with being an African-American woman has propelled my career goals. By striving to become a pharmacist and non-profit leader I am showing that the accomplishments of African-American women in health and leadership are not abnormal. One of the major causes of minority health disparities is the lack of minority health providers. As a healthcare provider, I will be better able to promote wellness in minority populations.

We live in a very diverse nation and overcoming challenges related to cultural beliefs and preferences is a very common obstacle for health care workers today. In an article in The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing cultural diversity is defined as being more than just race,

a nurse. Regarding provision 1, in my job as a pediatric cardiac ICU nurse in Dallas, TX., we have a very diverse population. Serving our diverse population requires one to respect and appreciate people from different counties, races and

This course, called: Psychological Determinants of Health Disparities focused on the disparities evident in health care today amongst individuals with mental health illnesses, immigrants, low SES, and racially targeted populations. During the semester I took this class, I was also working in both medical and dental offices to gain patient care experience. All of these experiences had one thing in common, patients who were of lower socioeconomic status were not treated as well as, patients who were of higher socioeconomic status. It was devastating to see individuals with severe health issues be turned away due to inability to afford proper health care. As a nurse, I would like to help eliminate or lessen the disparities within health care

Haynes (2016) article, The Road to Cultural Competency Are We There yet? Stated that the key to decreasing health disparities in the workforce could be done by increasing diversity. Health disparities as indicated by Turk (2014), Issue: Nursing Workforce, can result in a more complicated societal problem. It was further stated, health disparities have received much attention and is currently identified as a priority issue in our nation. According to Haynes (2016), strategies which were recommended by the Sullivan Commission were done to increase the workforces of nursing should begin with education. Cultural competency as stated here should be a vital component of the nursing curriculum. Turk (2014) reported health disparities result in a more multifaceted societal burden. According to Turk (2014), decreasing health disparities has received significant attention. Individuals, including policymakers, academicians, and researchers are concerned about the diversification of the healthcare workforce of which strategies are being implemented by decreasing health disparities and increasing the availability of culturally competent among health care providers.

Patients are supposed to receive the best quality care regardless of their wealth or race. Nurses, as individuals can resolve this disparity by putting aside their differences, and providing quality care to all patients. Another possible way nurses can lessen disparities is by looking at ourselves as asking if we are competent enough. By continuously learning in our fields and expanding our practice, we are able to advantage our patients even more. Learning more will help us, help our patients. It is our obligation to lessen the burdens of our patients and to provide an easier pathway. Nurses can discuss and speak with one another about any issue they may have, and address it in meetings, as well to highlight important issues that they see on a regular basis. Nurses can lessen disparities as a whole by addressing a particular issue as a whole, with other coworkers and the facility or as individuals by being professionals and always trying to educate

How can nurses successfully work with and care for the nation's increasingly diverse patient population? Here are some general guidelines: Don't make assumptions, explain every detail to the patient, ask about alternative approaches to healing, withhold judgments, and accommodate and educate. To deliver truly culturally competent care, "We have to look at where our patients are coming from and what their ideas of wellness and illness are," Hasenau says.