Black nurses in action: A social movement to end racism and discrimination

Abstract

We bear witness to a sweeping social movement for change-fostered and driven by a powerful group of Black nurses and nursing students determined to call out and dismantle anti-Black racism and discrimination within the profession of nursing. The Black Nurses Task Force, launched by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) in July 2020, is building momentum for long-standing change in the profession by critically examining the racist and discriminatory history of nursing, listening to and learning from the lived experiences of the Black nursing community, and shaping concrete, actionable steps to confront anti-Black racism and discrimination in academic settings, workplaces, and nursing organizations. The Black Nurses Task Force and the RNAO are standing up and speaking out in acknowledgment of the magnitude of anti-Black racism and discrimination that exist in our profession, health system, justice system, and economic system. This social movement is demonstrating, in actions, how individuals and a collective act as change agents to drive meaningful and widespread change for our present and future Black nurses.We also acknowledge the Black nurses who have gone before us.

Education on the Sustainable Development Goals for nursing students: Is Freire the answer?

“…International Nurses’ Day, founded by ICN, is celebrated on the anniversary of Nightingale's birth each year, recognising the undeniable contributions (Brookes & Nuku, 2020 ; Carey et al, 2020 ) she has brought to the nursing profession (International Council of Nurses 2020 ). This includes raising the profile of nurses, providing foundations for standardised nursing training (Cooper Brathwaite et al, 2021 ) and infection control measures (Brookes & Nuku, 2020 ). Nightingale's lesser‐publicised legacy, however, necessitates critical reflection and debate (Carey et al, 2020 ).…”

“…This sustained reverence of Nightingale may result in oppressive circumstances for many (Cooper Brathwaite et al, 2021 ) and paints a picture “of racism and exclusion within nursing” (Stake‐Doucet, 2020 , para. 15).…”

Structural Racism in America: A Summative Content Analysis of National Nursing Organization Statements

“…The commission meets monthly with a goal of proposing and outlining strategies and policy with a focus on racial justice across the spectrum of nursing (ANA, 2021). Brathwaite et al (2022) speaks to the importance of going beyond a task force and commission to actively engage stakeholders and build a social movement.…”

Investing in Canada’s nursing workforce post-pandemic: A call to action

“…Such discrimination causes mental stress and psychological trauma for nurses, negatively impacting mental health (Baptiste, 2015;Eliason et al, 2011;Etowa et al, 2009;Jefferies et al, 2022;Likupe & Archibong, 2013). There are limited statistics about race and ethnicity collected by Canadian organizations and nursing colleges, which would provide necessary evidence about the nursing profession and inform anti-racist policies (Cooper-Brathwaite et al, 2022a, 2022bEtowa et al, 2021;Oudshoorn, 2020;RNAO, 2020b;RNAO, 2022).…”