Determining the Nurse’s Role as an Advocate for Social Justice
AACN Essentials provides the following definition for social justice:
“The expectation that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. Equity, access, participation, and human rights are four principles of social justice including to ensure fair distribution of available resources across society, to ensure all people have access to goods and services regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity etc.; to enable people to participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to protect individual liberties to information about circumstances and decisions affecting them and to appeal decisions believed to be unfair” (Morgaine, 2014; Nemetchek, 2019).
Assignment Deliverable
Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper on social justice in nursing. Address the following in your paper:
o In your own words, explain what social justice is and why it is a core tenant of nursing.
o Describe the responsibility of the nursing profession in advocating for social justice.
o As an advanced practice nurse, describe how you will advocate for social justice.
o Provide 2 examples of social injustices and how they can impact a person’s or a population’s health. Consider the core competencies in AACN Essentials, identify the appropriate competencies that would address the above injustices.
Guide On Rating System
Vote
Social justice is the expectation that everyone should have equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. It is a core tenant of nursing because nursing is driven by the principles of equity, access, participation, and human rights. Nurses believe in ensuring that resources are distributed fairly across society and that all individuals have access to goods and services regardless of factors such as age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Nursing also emphasizes the importance of enabling individuals to participate in decisions that affect their lives and protecting their liberties to information and appeal decisions that they perceive as unfair.
The responsibility of the nursing profession in advocating for social justice is significant. Nurses have a unique position in the healthcare system where they have direct contact with individuals and populations in need. They have the opportunity to understand their patients' experiences, their social determinants of health, and the barriers they face in accessing healthcare.
As an advanced practice nurse, I will advocate for social justice by taking a proactive role in identifying and addressing social injustices. I will educate myself about the inequalities and disparities that impact patient health outcomes. This will involve staying up to date on current research, policies, and community resources.
I will also use my position to educate and empower patients in advocating for their rights. This can include ensuring that patients have access to healthcare services, developing individualized care plans that address their unique needs, and connecting them with community resources.
In addition, I will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to influence policies and systems that perpetuate social injustices. This may involve participating in professional organizations, advocacy groups, or policy committees. Through these efforts, I can help shape healthcare policies that promote social justice and address the inequities that impact patient health.
Two examples of social injustices that can impact a person's or a population's health include healthcare disparities and food insecurity.
One example of healthcare disparities is the unequal access to healthcare services based on socioeconomic status. Access to healthcare is a crucial determinant of health, and individuals with lower income or limited resources may face barriers in accessing necessary care. This can result in delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and poor health outcomes. To address this injustice, the core competency in the AACN Essentials that is relevant is Health Equity, which involves ensuring that all individuals have access to healthcare services regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Another example is food insecurity, which refers to the lack of reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food. Food insecurity can have significant health consequences, including malnutrition, chronic diseases, and poor overall health. The core competency in the AACN Essentials that is applicable in addressing this injustice is Population Health, which involves promoting health and preventing disease in populations. Nurses can advocate for social justice in this area by collaborating with community organizations to increase access to healthy food options, promoting nutrition education, and addressing the social determinants of food insecurity.
In conclusion, social justice is a core tenant of nursing and entails ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all individuals. Nurses have a responsibility to advocate for social justice by addressing healthcare disparities, such as unequal access to healthcare services, and social determinants of health, such as food insecurity. As advanced practice nurses, we can advocate for social justice by educating ourselves, empowering patients, and influencing policies and systems that perpetuate social injustices. By addressing these injustices, nurses can contribute to improving health outcomes for individuals and populations.
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