all the phases of life, from birth to transition. You are there for people at their most vulnerable.
That does not mean being a nurse is easy or that there aren’t real challenges. There are still barriers to the profession for many students of color, and many nurses of color still face unacceptable levels of discrimination in the workplace, whether from patients or peers. For everyone from a racial and ethnic minority background who is considering becoming a nurse, know that you are smart, and capable as anyone else, and we need you in the profession to support the advancement of equitable care. For those of you who are already nurses, do not be discouraged, the profession and the patients need you to be part of the ongoing solution of improving care for all.
It is also heartening that many organizations are working to make the profession a more inclusive place for people of color. For example, the American Nurses Association (ANA)’s National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing, created in partnership with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), and National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is an important step in remedying the reality of racism in healthcare. Other organizations such as the American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL) have also taken steps to address the issue of diversity in the nursing workforce. I believe that nursing will be central in paving the way for a better, more equitable, and more welcoming future.
To all Black, Brown, and Indigenous nurses and nurse hopefuls reading this: We need you in nursing. You can change the narrative of patient care, improve your community’s health, and be a part of healthcare’s more equitable future. You have the chance to be the nurse or nurse leader that another person looks up to and thinks, “If they can do it, so can I.”
As a nurse, you become part of the largest healthcare workforce in the country. The impact of nurses is immeasurable, and our voices are invaluable. We shape care delivery, policymaking, and patient care, and we can eliminate barriers and ensure better health outcomes for all. Will you join us in this quest to transform healthcare and eliminate disparities in healthcare?
To learn more about a career in nursing, go to nursing.jnj.com.
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