Tips for Centering Health Equity in Nursing

Health equity in nursing is a critical concept that addresses fairness and inclusion in health care delivery, workforce development, and patient outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of providing all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, access to the resources, care, and opportunities they need to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Nurses are change-makers, so centering equity in nursing is a must for developing a more inclusive and effective health care system. The foundation for such positive changes is often education. Registered nurses (RNs) seeking a bachelor’s degree may be interested in an RN to BSN program, which can prepare them for tackling health care inequities.

What Is Equity in Nursing?

Health equity is measured not only as equal access to health care services but also as health care services tailored to individual needs. This approach considers social determinants of health, cultural competency, and systemic barriers that contribute to health disparities.

Therefore, equity in nursing focuses on creating an environment in which every patient and health care worker can thrive, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.

Consider the following examples of how nurses can help promote health equity:

Community Health Programs: Nurses working in community health settings often tailor care to address local challenges, such as providing mobile clinics for rural areas or health education in underserved urban communities.
Language Access Services: Providing translation services or bilingual staff ensures effective communication with patients who speak languages other than English.
Implicit Bias Training: Nurses who participate in implicit bias training programs can learn to recognize and mitigate unconscious biases that could affect patient care.

Why Equity in Nursing Matters

When considering the importance of promoting equity in health care, consider how it enables better patient outcomes, a more diverse and effective workforce, and broader changes that improve health care systems.

Enhancing Patient Outcomes

Health disparities — such as higher rates of chronic illnesses in underserved communities — are a significant challenge in health care. By centering equity, nurses can address these disparities through personalized care and advocacy.

For example, implementing culturally competent care has been shown to improve patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans and also correlates with improved quality of care.

Workforce Development

A diverse nursing workforce is vital for fostering innovation and addressing the unique needs of varied patient populations. Encouraging diversity within nursing not only improves team dynamics but also enhances problem-solving and patient care.

Systemic Change

Nurses are frontline witnesses to the effects of systemic inequities in health care. By advocating for policy changes and adopting equitable practices, they can influence broader systemic reforms that benefit entire communities.

Career Paths in Equity-Focused Nursing

Nurses interested in improving workplace diversity and patient outcomes can do so no matter their role. However, to have a greater impact on health equity in nursing, they may want to consider leadership or managerial roles, such as nursing manager, nurse coordinator, and nursing shift supervisor.

Beyond that, other career paths for nursing professionals focused on health equity include the following:

Public Health Nurse: In this role, nursing professionals work directly with communities to address health disparities and promote wellness.
Health Policy Advocate: In this role, nursing professionals influence health care policies to prioritize equity and inclusion.
Clinical Nurse Educator: In this role, nursing professionals incorporate equity-focused practices into training programs for the next generation of nurses.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist: In this role, nursing professionals work to create equitable workplace environments within health care organizations.

5 Tips for How Nurses Can Improve Health Equity

Improving health equity requires a multifaceted approach that combines education, advocacy, and community engagement.

1. Provide Culturally Competent Care

Providing culturally competent care is a cornerstone of equitable nursing practices. Nurses should be trained to respect and incorporate patients’ cultural, linguistic, and spiritual needs into their care plans. This includes offering language translation services and employing bilingual staff if necessary.

Culturally competent care not only improves patient satisfaction but also enhances health outcomes by ensuring that care is personalized and respectful.

2. Promote Diverse Hiring Practices

Nursing leaders who have a hand in hiring can help ensure that the workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve. Health care organizations should also support mentorship programs for underrepresented groups in nursing to foster career advancement.

By prioritizing diversity in hiring and professional development, health care systems can address gaps in representation and inclusion.

3. Advocate for Equitable and Inclusive Policies

Advocating for inclusive policies is essential for creating systemic change. Nurses can play a vital role in implementing organizational policies that prioritize equity and inclusion.

On a broader scale, advocating for legislative changes that address social determinants of health and reduce barriers to care is a critical component of equitable nursing practices. These policies can have a lasting impact on reducing health disparities and improving patient outcomes.

4. Participate in Continuing Education

One of the most crucial steps is to educate yourself and your team about health disparities, cultural competency, and systemic inequities.

Continuing education and professional development can help nurses and other health care professionals become more aware of the factors that contribute to inequities in health care. Training sessions on implicit bias, cultural awareness, and equity-focused practices are essential for fostering a more inclusive environment.

5. Engage With the Community

Engaging with the broader community is another effective way to implement equity in nursing. Partnering with local organizations can help nurses understand the unique needs of the populations they serve.

In addition, developing outreach programs tailored to address local health disparities builds trust and strengthens community relationships. Ongoing community engagement helps ensure that nursing care is patient centered and culturally relevant.

Focus on Health Equity With an RN to BSN Program

For many, centering equity in nursing is not only a professional responsibility but also a moral imperative. By addressing health disparities, fostering diversity, and advocating for systemic change, nurses can significantly impact the well-being of individuals and communities. Embracing equity helps ensure a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate health care system.

The online RN to BSN program from NCCU can get you ready to make an impact on the country’s health care system. Its immersive online program helps students develop the foundational skills needed to address nursing equity issues directly.

Learn how NCCU Online can provide the necessary skills to grow and thrive in your nursing career.

Recommended Readings

Nurse Manager Salary and Job Description

Why Bilingual Nurses Are Essential

Why Intercultural Competence in Nursing Matters

Sources:

BMC Medical Education, “The Development of Cultural Competencies in Nursing Students and Their Significance in Shaping the Future Work Environment: A Pilot Study”

Campaign for Action, “Equity in Practice as a Nurse Practitioner”

Campaign for Action, “Equity-Minded School Nurses Have a Superpower”

Campaign for Action, “Social Determinants of Health. Now What?”

Forbes, “Driving Better Outcomes Through Health Equity”

Healthy People 2030, Health Equity in Healthy People 2030