As a community healthcare system, we take the responsibility to serve all members of the communities in which we operate extremely seriously. We know every team member can make an impact on how inclusive patients’ experiences are at our facilities. As such, over 250 nurse leaders have participated in Nurses as Change-Makers, a 20-week education series, which was funded by a grant from the American Nurses Association’s National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. The work of the commission is to motivate all nurses to confront systemic and interpersonal racism in healthcare.
Throughout the series, nurse leaders explored topics such as the history of racism in medicine, implications of racism in healthcare, challenging biases, actions of allyship and practicing cultural humility. These conversations are helping our nursing teams build empathy, strengthen relationships and remove barriers to care.
"This program presents some of the prior injustices and it also encourages self-reflection," said Jo Ann Creek, BSN RN, NE-BC, nursing supervisor, Radiology at Carle Foundation Hospital. "While I can’t correct historical injustices, I can challenge my own perceptions, I can evaluate the way I practice and the way my department, organization and community are impacted, and I can take steps to challenge the process and make changes."
Nursing leaders were encouraged to share and discuss the materials with those in their divisions. Kamdyn "Kami" Colvin, MSN RN, NE-BC, director of Nursing, Greater Peoria, sought to have meaningful conversations with her teams.
"As I was engaging with the front-line nurses, there were times I had to pause and reflect. Sometimes, people were so open and willing to engage in a healthy conversation, but other times, it was tough. That tells me that we, as nurses and healthcare leaders, must continue to explore this work."
"Bias and racism can have terrible consequences and contribute to negative health outcomes; therefore, we need to continue to learn, be open, and break down barriers for others," Colvin said.
Many studies have shown nursing to be one of the most trusted professions and can bring about healing. Nurses serve as the patient’s advocate and as such, are uniquely positioned to remove barriers that prevent patients from accessing the best possible care.
"Some of the things that made me most proud was when my staff started finding information to share and the deep discussions that we had based on the information presented," Creek said.
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics urges nurses to confront moral wrongs, promote, protect and advocate for all patients and communities. It calls for nurses to confront biases, protect human rights, and reduce disparities.
"If this program did nothing more than prompt us to have conversations we wouldn't have otherwise had, that's a huge success,” said Charlie Hawknuff, DNP, MBA, director of Clinical Excellence. "But so many people have been reaching out. And once you understand the problem, as a nurse, you now have an obligation to do something about it."
And as the education series began by building knowledge, awareness and understanding, the second half focused on giving nurses the tools and resources to address racism.
These efforts are being woven into the fabric of the organization and will continue as part of our ongoing work.
"This program is fostering collaboration and building empathy among our nursing team," said Cecilia Lopez MSN, RN, nursing manager at Carle Foundation Hospital. "If we gain cultural competence, our patients feel more comfortable and understood; it will lead to better communication, trust and improved outcomes."
To join a dynamic healthcare team bringing compassionate and high-quality care to their communities, visit https://careers.carlehealth.org/. To learn more about equity in healthcare, join an upcoming Health Equity Grand Rounds session.This monthly education series enables healthcare professionals to identify sources of health disparities, build skills for eliminating bias and systemic barriers, and serve as advocates for equitable care.
Throughout the series, nurse leaders explored topics such as the history of racism in medicine, implications of racism in healthcare, challenging biases, actions of allyship and practicing cultural humility. These conversations are helping our nursing teams build empathy, strengthen relationships and remove barriers to care.
"This program presents some of the prior injustices and it also encourages self-reflection," said Jo Ann Creek, BSN RN, NE-BC, nursing supervisor, Radiology at Carle Foundation Hospital. "While I can’t correct historical injustices, I can challenge my own perceptions, I can evaluate the way I practice and the way my department, organization and community are impacted, and I can take steps to challenge the process and make changes."
Nursing leaders were encouraged to share and discuss the materials with those in their divisions. Kamdyn "Kami" Colvin, MSN RN, NE-BC, director of Nursing, Greater Peoria, sought to have meaningful conversations with her teams.
"As I was engaging with the front-line nurses, there were times I had to pause and reflect. Sometimes, people were so open and willing to engage in a healthy conversation, but other times, it was tough. That tells me that we, as nurses and healthcare leaders, must continue to explore this work."
"Bias and racism can have terrible consequences and contribute to negative health outcomes; therefore, we need to continue to learn, be open, and break down barriers for others," Colvin said.
Many studies have shown nursing to be one of the most trusted professions and can bring about healing. Nurses serve as the patient’s advocate and as such, are uniquely positioned to remove barriers that prevent patients from accessing the best possible care.
"Some of the things that made me most proud was when my staff started finding information to share and the deep discussions that we had based on the information presented," Creek said.
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics urges nurses to confront moral wrongs, promote, protect and advocate for all patients and communities. It calls for nurses to confront biases, protect human rights, and reduce disparities.
"If this program did nothing more than prompt us to have conversations we wouldn't have otherwise had, that's a huge success,” said Charlie Hawknuff, DNP, MBA, director of Clinical Excellence. "But so many people have been reaching out. And once you understand the problem, as a nurse, you now have an obligation to do something about it."
And as the education series began by building knowledge, awareness and understanding, the second half focused on giving nurses the tools and resources to address racism.
These efforts are being woven into the fabric of the organization and will continue as part of our ongoing work.
"This program is fostering collaboration and building empathy among our nursing team," said Cecilia Lopez MSN, RN, nursing manager at Carle Foundation Hospital. "If we gain cultural competence, our patients feel more comfortable and understood; it will lead to better communication, trust and improved outcomes."
To join a dynamic healthcare team bringing compassionate and high-quality care to their communities, visit https://careers.carlehealth.org/. To learn more about equity in healthcare, join an upcoming Health Equity Grand Rounds session.This monthly education series enables healthcare professionals to identify sources of health disparities, build skills for eliminating bias and systemic barriers, and serve as advocates for equitable care.
Categories: Culture of Quality
Tags: Care, Clinical, Education, Equitable, Nursing, Quality, Values