Black nurses in the nursing profession in Canada: a scoping review

Jefferies, Keisha; States, Chelsa; MacLennan, Vanessa; Helwig, Melissa; Gahagan, Jacqueline; Bernard, Wanda Thomas; MacDonald, Marjorie; Murphy, Gail Tomblin; Martin‐Misener, Ruth

doi:10.1186/s12939-022-01673-w

Cited by 20 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…A scoping review described 5 primary areas of focus within the literature on Black nurses in Canada: historical situatedness, immigration, racism and discrimination, leadership and career progression, and diversity in the workforce. 31,32 We found similar themes related to leadership, diversity and racism in nursing. 31,32 In addition, our findings align with the landmark studies of Flynn, 14 Etowa and colleagues 13 and Keddy, 33 which examined historical and contemporary experiences of Black nurses in Nova Scotia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…31,32 We found similar themes related to leadership, diversity and racism in nursing. 31,32 In addition, our findings align with the landmark studies of Flynn, 14 Etowa and colleagues 13 and Keddy, 33 which examined historical and contemporary experiences of Black nurses in Nova Scotia. Although not focused exclusively on ANS nurses, these studies included people of ANS ancestry in their sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

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African Nova Scotian nurses’ perceptions and experiences of leadership: a qualitative study informed by Black feminist theory

Jefferies

Martin‐Misener

Murphy

et al. 2022

CMAJ

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People of African Nova Scotian (ANS) ancestry constitute a culturally distinct group within the larger Black population in Nova Scotia, Canada. This ancestry dates back to the 1600s, when Black people arrived in Nova Scotia as enslaved, fleeing or "freed." 1-3 People of ANS ancestry are historically one of the largest congregations of Black people in Canada (currently 22 000 people, constituting an estimated 2.4% of the Nova Scotian population, 1 72% of whom identify as third generation or greater), which has resulted in a particular socialization and social context. [1][2][3][4] People of ANS ancestry represent one of the largest racially visible groups in Nova Scotia. 1 More than 50 ANS communities are located across the province, including in historic settlement sites. [1][2][3] High rates of chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and mental illness, have contributed to substantially worse health for ANS people than for the general population of Nova Scotia. 4,5 Social and structural determinants of health have been implicated in the disproportionate rates of chronic illness experienced by ANS people. 5,6 In 2017, the United Nations concluded that racism in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia, exacerbated disparities and in equities across sectors including education, health and employment. 4 Anti-Black racism -which permeates policy, practice, decisions and systemic processes -results in discriminatory treatment that compromises health. 7 Addressing anti-Black racism in health care requires practitioners who are competent, invested in change and in positions to instigate reform. 8 Leadership, which is a standard of practice and basic entry-level competency in nursing, encompasses formal and informal roles that contribute to enhanced health. [9][10][11] Nurse leaders challenge health inequities and disparities through their knowledge and skills, by influencing health policy, shifting practices and contributing to the transformation of the larger health care system. [8][9][10] Archival data reveal a legacy of segregation and exclusion of Black people in nursing, which contributes to issues of recruitment, retention and representation of ANS people in the nursing profession and in positions of leadership. [12][13][14][15]

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

African Nova Scotian nurses’ perceptions and experiences of leadership: a qualitative study informed by Black feminist theory

Jefferies

Martin‐Misener

Murphy

et al. 2022

CMAJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Anti‐Black racism is a pervasive systemic problem within Canadian nursing (Jefferies et al, 2022; RNAO, 2022), but it often goes undetected even though nursing, like many other professions, has been inundated with policies and statements that denounce racism and now, anti‐Black racism. The problem remains that anti‐Black racism can continue navigating itself systematically while remaining undetected or ignored by institutional policies and statements that give credence to dismantling racism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti‐Black racism: Gaining insight into the experiences of Black nurses in Canada

Prendergast,

Boakye,

Bailey

et al. 2023

Nursing Inquiry

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The call to address anti‐Black racism in workplaces resonates across several organizations and institutions in Canada. But specifically, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic shed further light on how health inequities negatively impact the Black community. After conducting a literature review of the experiences of Black nurses in Canada, a deeper understanding of their plight was gained. In healthcare, the findings from the Black Nurses' Task Force report conclude that anti‐Black racist practices are pervasive in nursing, and there remains a paucity of research in this area. This study builds off the report by exploring how Black nurses experience anti‐Black racism while working in Canada's healthcare system. Inspired by critical race theory and Black feminist thought, an exploratory qualitative research study was conducted, using semistructured interviews to gather data. The study concludes that Black nurses experience anti‐Black racism within the workplace, and it manifests itself through some of the attitudes of colleagues, patients, and nurses in leadership roles. Despite policies and statements that were in place to protect them, anti‐Black racism continues to occur systematically. The findings point to the need for change in the overall workplace culture, which includes a fair representation of Black nurses in leadership roles, further research to identify best practices for tackling anti‐Black racism within Canada's healthcare system, and mandatory training on anti‐Black racism for healthcare leaders, educators, and service providers.

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“…The fast-growing Black population also offers significant opportunities to address gaps in Black nursing equity and diversity and include their voices in Canadian academia (CNA, 2009). Unfortunately, Black and other racialized students are not only underrepresented in Canadian university and college of nursing programs (Besa et al, 2022; Jefferies, 2020; Jefferies et al, 2022; Luhanga et al, 2020; Monteiro, 2018; RNAO, 2022) and elsewhere (e.g., the USA) (Ezeonwu, 2019; Iheduru-Anderson et al, 2021), they also experience challenges or barriers that affect their academic success (Besa et al, 2022; Luhanga et al, 2020; Monteiro, 2018; Sedgwick et al, 2014). These encompass racial discrimination (Bell, 2021; Besa et al, 2022; Iheduru-Anderson et al, 2020; Luhanga et al, 2020; Monteiro, 2018), language and cultural depreciation, social isolation, feeling misunderstood, and lacking role models (Bell, 2021; Jefferies, 2020; RNAO, 2022).…”

Section: Background and Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

“Let's Call a Spade a Spade. My Barrier is Being a Black Student”: Challenges for Black Undergraduate Nursing Students in a Western Canadian Province

Luhanga,

Maposa,

Puplampu

et al. 2023

Can J Nurs Res

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Background We need more understanding of experiences that hinder or promote equity, diversity, and inclusion of Black students in undergraduate nursing programs to better inform their retention and success. Purpose To explore documented experiences of Black undergraduate nursing students, review barriers affecting their retention and success, and suggest evidence-based strategies to mitigate barriers that influence their well-being. Methods We used a focused qualitative ethnography for recruiting Black former and current students (N = 18) in a Western Canadian province's undergraduate nursing programs via purposive and snowball sampling. Most participants were female, 34 years or younger, with over 50% currently in a nursing program. Five participants later attended a focus group to further validate the findings from the individual interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participant characteristics; we applied a collaborative constant comparison and thematic analysis approach to their narratives. Results Challenges influencing Black students’ retention and success fell into four main interrelated subthemes: disengaging and hostile learning environments, systemic institutional and program barriers, navigation of personal struggles in disempowering learning environments, and recommendations to improve the delivery of nursing programs. Participants also recommended ways to improve diversity and mitigate these barriers, such as nursing programs offering anti-oppression courses, platforms for safe/healthy dialogue, and more culturally sensitive learning-centered programs and responsive supports. Conclusions The study findings underscore the need for research to better define nursing program conditions that nurture safe, learning-centred environments for Black students. A rethink of non-discriminatory, healthy learning–teaching engagements of Black students and the mitigation of anti-Black racism can best position institutions to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion of Black students.

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Black nurses in the nursing profession in Canada: a scoping review

Cited by 20 publications

References 49 publications

African Nova Scotian nurses’ perceptions and experiences of leadership: a qualitative study informed by Black feminist theory

African Nova Scotian nurses’ perceptions and experiences of leadership: a qualitative study informed by Black feminist theory

Anti‐Black racism: Gaining insight into the experiences of Black nurses in Canada

“Let's Call a Spade a Spade. My Barrier is Being a Black Student”: Challenges for Black Undergraduate Nursing Students in a Western Canadian Province

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