Most people who go into the nursing field do so because they want to help others. They often strive to take the best care of their patients as they can. What some might not be prepared for is the discrimination that they may face when they’re on duty.
One of the most common forms of discrimination for nurses has to do with their race. Racism is particularly problematic for nurses of color. This extends well into the administrative positions that are commonly held by nurses.
Why is racism an issue in nursing?
Racism can come from many sources for nurses. They may have patients who refuse to allow nurses of color to care for them. In some cases, nursing administration and others in power won’t do much to address the issue because it’s at the hands of a patient. Still, this behavior is unacceptable.
It’s also been shown that Latinx and Black nurses make less than white nurses in comparable positions. This type of discrimination also harms the nurses, as well as the patients they care for. Structural racism is something that has to be addressed at the source. Unfortunately, that’s not always easy, but it is possible for nurses to wage that battle.
Any nurse who’s subjected to discrimination in any form when they’re working should speak up about the matter. Any discriminatory behaviors on the part of co-workers, supervisors or patients can have a negative impact on the nurse’s ability to provide proper care for their patients. Legal action is often possible, so be sure to review this option if you’ve been discriminated against while serving as a nurse.
