Patients sometimes don’t believe they are really “heard” when meeting with their healthcare providers. This experience can make them feel lost and forgotten in a system that seems indifferent to their needs and cultural backgrounds.
Such a gap in communication and understanding underscores the need for greater awareness among healthcare staff. As frontline healthcare professionals, nurses play a vital role in advocating for equality and justice — both within the healthcare field and in broader societal contexts.
Educational opportunities, such as the online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing program at Fitchburg State University, provide a solid foundation for nurses to elevate their efforts surrounding advocacy and social justice. This program educates nurses on advocacy not only at the patient level but also at the institutional and policy levels, empowering them to engage in real changes to advance health equity.
Below, we explore the concept of patient advocacy and social justice in nursing, highlighting the importance of empowering nurses to make a difference in these areas.
Understanding Social Determinants of Health
Social justice in healthcare refers to the fair and equal treatment of individuals, ensuring protection of their rights, equitable distribution of resources and unbiased decision-making​​. In this context, health equity is paramount, focusing on reducing health disparities and enabling all individuals to achieve their highest level of health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social determinants of health (SDOH) as “conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.”
Due to their close interaction with patients and trustworthy status, nurses are ideally positioned to drive social justice and equity in healthcare​​.
Historical Context and Recent Activism
The nursing profession’s history is deeply intertwined with social justice activism. Iconic figures like Florence Nightingale advocated for improved conditions for marginalized groups and played significant roles in public health reform.
In recent times, nurses have continued working to address various social issues. This includes unethical pharmaceutical practices, environmental health concerns and racial injustice — as seen in their participation in movements like Black Lives Matter​​.
Specifically, National Nurses United plays a crucial role in advocating for social justice and equity. The organization is committed to addressing social injustice that devastates the health and well-being of patients and communities. It works towards transforming systems, institutions, policies and practices that perpetuate social, health and workplace inequity and injustice​​.
Empowering Nurses: Strategies and Challenges
Empowering nurses in the realm of social justice involves celebrating both minor and significant victories. From finding resources to overcoming barriers and participating in policy reviews, nurses are encouraged to use their voices and skills to advocate for change. The nursing profession calls for nurses to be advocates in the face of overwhelming odds, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic​​. Below are a few different areas where nurses can turn their attention in the quest for health equity:
Enhancing Cultural Competence and Transcultural Nursing
The nursing profession was an early innovator in recognizing the significance of culture in health, leading to the development of transcultural nursing. This understanding was a direct response to the fatal struggles faced by marginalized communities, highlighting the importance of cultural competence in nursing practice​​.
Addressing Health Disparities With Actionable Tactics
Nurses are key players in enhancing health equity. They can educate patients on illness prevention and health promotion, mitigating health disparities. Nurses can also play a crucial role in encouraging screenings, especially for minority women, to identify and address healthcare issues before they become a significant barrier to optimal health.
Utilizing Technology to Improve Health Equity
The rapid advancement of technology, especially smartphones and mobile applications, offers new avenues for achieving health equity. Nurses can use technology to engage more effectively with patients and identify health disparities — thus enhancing communication and treatment outcomes​​.
Maintaining Lifelong Learning and Cultural Humility
Nurses must commit to lifelong learning and cultural humility to effectively serve diverse communities. This commitment involves understanding the cultural nuances of the populations they serve and respecting their needs, preferences, desires and hopes​​.
The Path to Health Equity
Health equity will occur when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Nurses play a critical role in identifying the various factors that affect people’s health and lifespan. By developing individualized and community-focused solutions, nurses can significantly contribute to addressing the root causes of ill health and advocating for a more equitable healthcare system​​.
Fitchburg State’s program features courses like Social Justice and Advocacy, which equips nurses to think critically about social justice and its place in healthcare, particularly among vulnerable populations. With this robust educational base, graduates can make a difference for their patients and the healthcare industry.
Learn more about Fitchburg State University’s online RN to BS in Nursing program.
