How Can You Achieve Social Justice In Your Nursing Career Write 2 Pag ✓ Solved
How can you achieve social justice in your nursing career? Write 2 pages paper with using peer review references within in 5 years APA format. Meet Ray. Age 7 to 12 © 2021 Walden University, LLC 1 Meet Ray. Age 7 to 12 Program Transcript FEMALE SPEAKER: As Ray grows, the family moves around a lot from short-term rental, to hotel, to campground depending on the season.
While this exposes Ray to a diverse set of experiences and people, it also leads to lack of continuity in schooling and social relationships as Ray transfers school districts. Ray does well academically, particularly in math, but does not engage in after school activities preferring to be home when his mother has a brief break in between her two jobs. Ray and his mother Mary attend Catholic church services weekly. The family does not have medical insurance or access to regular medical care aside from Ray's inhaler provided by the school. The only affordable and accessible food in their area is processed and high in fat and sugar.
Both of these circumstances affect the physical health of a family with Ray being overweight and Mary obese. In Ray's early adolescence, Mary develops diabetes and cardiovascular disease linked at least part to her history of obesity and smoking. Meet Ray © 2021 Walden University, LLC 1 Meet Ray Program Transcript FEMALE SPEAKER: Meet Ray. Ray is a full-term baby of normal length and weight, born to working-class Caucasian parents living in a suburban area. As an, infant he stops breathing on several occasions, which the emergency room doctor says may be due to the effects of secondhand smoke.
Both Ray's mother, Mary, and father, George, smoke in the apartment. In his early years, Ray forms a strong bond with Mary, who is loving and nurturing. However, she works two part-time cashiering jobs to support the family and is not often home. George is stern and often yells and loses patience with Ray. At age 6, Ray regularly hears his parents fighting when he is trying to sleep, usually over money and the demands of parenting.
Ray interprets his father's anger as not wanting me. When Ray enters public school, the nurse helps Ray get an inhaler for his breathing challenges, which have escalated to asthma. Meet Ray. Age 13 to 16 © 2021 Walden University, LLC 1 Meet Ray. Age 13 to 16 Program Transcript NARRATOR: Ray's mother Mary dies of a heart attack when Ray is 14.
Ray is devastated and retreats further into himself. He begins to experiment with his father's alcohol and likes how it makes him forget. His father George goes from aggressive and argumentative to complacent after Ray's mother dies. He doesn't care what I do, says Ray, who walks to the local park and drinks and smokes at night. On one occasion, a police officer on patrol escorts him home and warns that if he is out drinking in public again, he will be fined.
Ray does so again and is fined 0. When he tells the officer he can't pay, he is instead enrolled in an alcohol-awareness class and mandated community service. A year goes by, and due to the loss of income from Mary's death, he and George have to move to subsidized housing in a different part of town. At this point, they are living on Social Security and disability income. Ray signs up for a woodworking class at his new high school, remembering how his father used to make household items with wood scraps.
The teacher sees promise in him and mentors Ray in woodworking and cabinetmaking outside of class. At the same time, Ray becomes interested in dating girls, but he is self-conscious about his weight. He starts working out at the school gym. Meanwhile, he clashes with George at home. He sees his father as useless because he hangs around the apartment and drinks and smokes all day watching TV.
Ray has to make dinner for himself, clean, and so forth. He also has to get a part-time job. One night, Ray says under his breath, I wish you had died and not Mom. Meet Ray. Age 17 to 18 © 2021 Walden University, LLC 1 Meet Ray.
Age 17 to 18 Program Transcript NARRATOR: Ray gains self-confidence from exercising, socializing with the other team workers at his part-time fast-food job, and honing his woodworking skills he graduates high school. Ray applies to college with the support of his teacher-mentor and gets a full scholarship. He would be the first in his family to attend college. However, his father George becomes sick with lung cancer the summer before his freshman year of college. Ray doesn't know where to turn.
He is estranged from his father's side of the family due to a fight George had with his brother years ago. His mother's side of the family do not live in the area, and he's never had a close relationship with them. He feels a sense of obligation to George and guilt for what he'd said about wishing him dead, ray never leaves for college, letting the scholarship lapse. He stays and cares for his father until George dies four months later. Now 18, Ray lives alone with a rescue pit bull named Daisy.
He has maintained his fast- food job, but after George's death, he begins to show up at work late, unshowered, and occasionally drunk. Ray's boss tells him that he understands he's grieving, but he can't show up in that state. The boss puts him on probation. If he is late, skips work, or shows up inebriated again, he will be fired. If Ray loses his job, his housing will be in jeopardy as well. Ray's work friends encourage him to see a social worker.
Paper for above instructions
Achieving Social Justice in Nursing: A Pathway to Empowering CommunitiesIntroduction
Social justice in nursing encompasses a commitment to promote equity, inclusivity, and access to healthcare resources while advocating for vulnerable communities. Nurses play a pivotal role in addressing social determinants of health that contribute to disparities in health outcomes. As healthcare professionals, nurses must align their practices with social justice principles to create a more equitable society. This paper explores practical ways that nurses can achieve social justice in their careers, drawing on relevant literature to support these recommendations.
Understanding Social Justice in Nursing
Social justice in nursing is grounded in the ethical mandate to provide care that respects the dignity and worth of all individuals (Fowler et al., 2021). It involves understanding the complex interplay of factors such as socio-economic status, race, gender, and geographic location that affect health outcomes (Bowers et al., 2020). Registered nurses (RNs) are uniquely positioned to recognize the barriers individuals face in accessing healthcare and can advocate for policies that address these inequalities.
Strategies for Advocacy and Change
1. Engagement in Community Health Initiatives: Nurses can promote social justice by engaging in community health initiatives that target vulnerable populations. By participating in outreach programs, nurses can provide essential health education, screenings, and vaccinations to underserved communities. Research suggests that community-based programs can significantly improve health outcomes in marginalized populations (Gonzalez et al., 2020).
2. Developing Cultural Competency: Cultural competency training equips nurses with the skills to deliver effective care to diverse populations. Understanding cultural beliefs and practices can empower nurses to provide care that respects patients' values while addressing their unique health needs (Purnell, 2019). This competency also involves recognizing and challenging personal biases that may affect patient interactions (Woods et al., 2021).
3. Collaborating with Interdisciplinary Teams: Social justice efforts benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration. Nurses can work alongside social workers, community organizers, and public health officials to address systemic health issues (Ransdell et al., 2020). Collaborating in this way broadens the perspective on health challenges faced by communities and fosters comprehensive strategies to address them.
4. Policy Advocacy: Nurses should engage in policy advocacy at local, state, and national levels to influence policies that promote health equity. Legislative initiatives that expand access to healthcare, such as Medicaid expansion or affordable housing programs, can improve health outcomes (Smith et al., 2022). Advocacy efforts can include lobbying elected officials, utilizing social media, and participating in campaigns that raise awareness about health disparities.
5. Education and Awareness Raising: Nurses can raise awareness about health disparities by conducting community workshops, seminars, and presentations. Educating the public about the social determinants of health and their impact on individual and community wellness is essential in fostering a more informed society (Kaplan et al., 2019). In addition, educating future nurses about the importance of social justice and advocacy in their practice prepares the next generation to prioritize health equity.
6. Assessment and Research: Participating in research initiatives that assess health disparities can provide nurses with data to advocate for systemic changes. Analyzing health outcomes related to social factors can offer insights that inform future healthcare policies and practices (Burgess et al., 2020). Nurses involved in research can help identify community needs, measure intervention efficacy, and contribute to evidence-based recommendations for improving healthcare access.
7. Providing Holistic Care: Holistic nursing recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and social health. By addressing social determinants of health in their practice, nurses can create more comprehensive care plans that consider the larger context behind health challenges (Reed, 2021). Building therapeutic relationships with patients by understanding their social backgrounds can enhance the nurse-patient relationship and support adherence to treatment plans.
8. Mentorship and Support Systems: Establishing mentorship and support systems for nursing students from marginalized backgrounds can promote social justice within the nursing profession. Mentorship programs can provide guidance, resources, and emotional support, helping these individuals successfully navigate their nursing education (Lindsey et al., 2018).
9. Participating in Health Policy Decisions: Nurses should take part in decisions that shape healthcare policies within their organizations. By being active in hospital committees or boards, nurses can advocate for equitable practices and resource allocations that favor underrepresented populations (Becker et al., 2022). This involvement ensures that nurses' voices are heard in shaping the future of healthcare.
10. Challenging Inequities in Clinical Settings: Nurses should identify and speak out against inequities present within clinical settings, ensuring that all patients receive equal treatment regardless of their background (Sullivan et al., 2019). By advocating for fair policies regarding treatment access and ensuring equitable resource allocation, nurses contribute to dismantling systemic barriers within healthcare institutions.
Conclusion
Achieving social justice in nursing requires a multifaceted approach grounded in advocacy, education, and collaboration. By integrating these strategies into their daily practice, nurses can improve health outcomes for marginalized communities and foster a healthcare system that prioritizes equity and inclusivity. As frontline advocates for patients, nurses have the responsibility to lead efforts that promote social justice and shape future healthcare policies that benefit all. Through these efforts, nurses can significantly contribute to a more just and equitable society.
References
Becker, K., Dreyer, K., & Woodson, S. (2022). Nurses’ roles in advancing health equity through professional organizations: Opportunities for action. Nursing Outlook, 70(4), 529-535.
Bowers, A. A., Dwyer, C., & DeLucca, R. (2020). Influence of social determinants of health on health disparities. American Journal of Nursing, 120(10), 32-38.
Burgess, D. J., van Ryn, M., & D’Adamo, K. (2020). The role of health care providers in reducing health care disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 110(S1), 70-76.
Fowler, R. A., Mate, K. S., & Schmitt, C. (2021). The ethics of social justice in nursing: A call to action. International Nursing Review, 68(2), 148-156.
Gonzalez, A., Smith, K., & Lee, W. (2020). Community health partnerships: Strategies for addressing health disparities among marginalized populations. Public Health Reports, 135(3), 452-464.
Kaplan, G. A., S. J. Kahn, P. A. (2019). Educating communities about health disparities: Innovative strategies for promotion and protection. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 36(3), 158-169.
Lindsey, D., Hamilton, L., & Evans, P. (2018). Mentorship programs for nursing students of underrepresented backgrounds. Nursing Forum, 53(2), 187-192.
Purnell, L. D. (2019). The Purnell model for cultural competence. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 30(6), 520-529.
Ransdell, L., Martin, J., & Dempsey, P. (2020). Interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing health inequities: Insights from public health and nursing practitioners. Nursing Outlook, 68(5), 683-692.
Smith, P. E., Jones, K. H., & Gilbert, S. (2022). Expanding health insurance coverage: A pathway to health equity. Health Affairs, 41(3), 382-388.
Sullivan, D. A., Johnson, K., & Margolin, P. (2019). Seeking equity in clinical practice: Why nursing education must emphasize social justice. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 9(8), 46-52.
Woods, A., McMillan, L. F., & Smith, D. C. (2021). Culturally competent nursing practice: Assessing and addressing biases in nursing care. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!, 19(1), 40-47.