A QUESTION OF EQUITY
Inequity is a common issue in society especially in health care institutions in which nurses can be called upon to quell such vices.
Nurses can help fight against inequity by banding together and opposing social injustices in the health care system. The simple act of duty can go a long way in breaking racial stereotypes in institutions (Mahoney, 2020). With these simple adjustments, I believe that nurses can bring about a new era where everyone is welcome in hospitals and be assisted accordingly.
As a caregiver, a nurse plays a critical role in a patient’s recovery journey as it entails a hands-on approach. The nurse must provide either total or partial care for her patients while maintaining their dignity, which cannot be achieved successfully if the nurse doesn’t care about her patients. In caring for patients, it helps the nurse be invested in their recovery process by realizing the patient’s development in mind and body and spiritual needs (Wilson, 2018). Given the ethical requirements of a nurse, the duties of a caregiver role should be carried out with utmost professionalism and, in doing so, will work towards achieving equity in health care institutions.
As a decision-maker, a nurse is once again primed to use their critical thinking prowess to determine what is best for the patient. These decisions, influenced by the patient progress, will significantly affect the patient’s recovery as they are needed to either make adjustments or green light the effectiveness of a particular treatment (FORD, 2018). In such decisions, a nurse should be focused on her patient’s well-being and make the best decision that will result in positive results for the patient in question regardless of any other outlying factors.
In conclusion, if followed religiously concerning the profession’s ethical demands, the roles played by nurses should help positively in the fight against inequity (Edmonson, 2017).
References
Wilson, D., Heaslip, V., & Jackson, D. (2018). Improving equity and cultural responsiveness with marginalized communities: understanding competing worldviews. Journal of clinical nursing, 27(19-20), 3810-3819.
FORD‐GILBOE, M. A., R I. L. Y. N., Wathen, C. N., Varcoe, C., Herbert, C., Jackson, B. E., Lavoie, J. G., … & Wong, S. T. (2018). How equity‐oriented health care affects health: Key mechanisms and implications for primary health care practice and policy. The Milbank Quarterly, 96(4), 635-671.
Edmonson, C., McCarthy, C., Trent-Adams, S., McCain, C., & Marshall, J. (2017). Emerging global health issues: A nurse’s role. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 22(1).
Mahoney, A. D., Westphaln, K. K., Covelli, A. F., & Mullan, F. (2020). Advancing Social Mission in Nursing Education: Recommendations From an Expert Advisory Board. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(8), 433-433.