The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Session 1: An Overview of Nursing’s Role in Addressing Health Equity

The webinar series on the future of nursing focuses on the role of nursing in achieving health equity in the United States. Sue Hassmiller, a senior scholar, introduces the session, highlighting the importance of the nursing profession in aligning public health, healthcare, social services, and public policies to eliminate health disparities. The series aims to engage experts in discussing the critical role of nursing in addressing health equity, and participants can earn continuing education units (CEUs) through the National League for Nursing.

Dr. David Williams, a public health professor at Harvard, discusses the stark health inequities that exist, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups. He presents data showing higher death rates from COVID-19 among indigenous, Latino, African-American, and Pacific Islander populations. Dr. Williams emphasizes that these disparities are not just health challenges but are deeply rooted in socioeconomic status and systemic racism, which manifests through residential segregation and other structural factors that limit access to resources and opportunities, ultimately affecting health outcomes.

Dr. Kenya Beard, an associate professor, addresses the issue of racism within the nursing profession and the importance of dismantling structural racism. She discusses the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's commitment to making nursing education more equitable and inclusive, and the need to combat systemic inequity and bias. Dr. Beard highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing the practices and traditions that have favored some and excluded others, and the role of nursing education in preparing students to confront and dismantle racism.

Dr. Angela Milan, a former nursing director, emphasizes the need for a shared agenda among nursing organizations to address social determinants of health and achieve health equity. She outlines the Future of Nursing Committee's vision for a stronger, more diversified nursing workforce prepared to tackle health disparities. Dr. Milan calls for collaboration across nursing and other sectors, the development of mechanisms to leverage public health nursing expertise, and the prioritization of continuing education and skill training for nurses to ensure a healthy workforce.

The panelists engage in a discussion on the scientific evidence linking interpersonal discrimination to adverse health effects, the role of racism as a public health threat, and how nursing can impact this issue. They emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health in nursing education and practice. The conversation also touches on the need for nurses to move beyond their comfort zones and work collaboratively with other professionals to comprehensively address the challenges faced by patients.

The panelists discuss the challenges and strategies for integrating health equity concepts into nursing education. They acknowledge that while some nursing schools are doing well, they are the exception. The conversation highlights the need for investments in nurse training, well-being, and education to understand the social determinants of health. The panelists stress the importance of preparing students to recognize and address the root causes of health inequities, rather than just focusing on clinical aspects of care.

The webinar concludes with final thoughts from the panelists on the importance of implicit bias training and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing health inequities. They emphasize that while implicit bias training can raise awareness, it requires a longer-term, more in-depth strategy to effectively reduce prejudice and discrimination. The panelists also encourage nurses to see their role in promoting health equity as part of their professional duty and to seek the necessary support and resources to carry out this crucial work.