7 Effective Ways Nurses Can Promote Equality And Diversity

Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA

Being a nurse involves dealing with people from all walks of life, people with different beliefs, cultures, personalities, and goals. Successful nurses know that embracing differences and advocating for the rights of patients and our teams is essential, and we do that by promoting equality and diversity. Have you wondered, "What are effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare?” If so, this article is for you!

As you continue reading, you will discover 7 effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare. As a nurse and healthcare educator, I encourage you to consider the information in this article and apply the tips for promoting equality and diversity. Sometimes, the simplest actions and a willingness to embrace others significantly impact patients, their loved ones, and our healthcare teams. The change for good can begin with you!

What Are Effective Ways Nurses Can Promote Equality And Diversity In Healthcare?

(The following are the 7 effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare.)

WAY #1: Demonstrate Cultural Competence

One of the most effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare is by demonstrating cultural competence. Cultural competence is our ability to understand and respect the values, beliefs, and attitudes of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a nurse, your ability to provide nursing care to patients that respect cultural differences and promote cultural awareness is one way of demonstrating cultural competence.

There are several things you can do to help improve the way you demonstrate cultural competence. For example, attend workshops and seminars focused on cultural competence. Then, apply the skills you learn in your daily interactions with colleagues, patients, and their loved ones. Also, as a nurse leader, I believe it is crucial that we encourage colleagues and team members to participate in cultural competence training. If your place of employment does not offer cultural competence training, consider talking to someone about offering a class on the subject.

WAY #2: Participate in Support and Mentorship Programs

If you genuinely want to promote equality and diversity in healthcare, consider getting involved with support and mentorship programs focused on those issues. These programs provide guidance and resources to nurses from diverse backgrounds, giving them the support they need to be successful. By getting involved in support or mentorship programs, you can help foster an environment that values diversity.

If your place of employment or community needs support groups that focus on equality and diversity, consider creating one yourself. Another thing I recommend is getting involved with mentorship opportunities. Mentor new nurses, especially those in underrepresented groups. By sharing your knowledge and experience with them, you can help them navigate through the challenges of working in healthcare.

WAY #3: Advocate for Policies that Promote Inclusion

As a nurse, you are uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in advocating for inclusivity in healthcare. Talk to nurse managers and administrators and ask them about opportunities to participate in policy-making processes within your organization. You can also join professional organizations and advocate for inclusion policies. You can advocate for nondiscrimination policies, equitable patient care standard policies, and inclusive hiring practices. Also, get to know people from diverse communities where you live and try to understand their health challenges and needs. When you build strong relationships with people in your community, you can be the voice of advocacy for them that promotes well-being and addresses health disparities.

WAY #4: Educate Yourself to Improve Awareness

The most fundamental tool and effective way nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare is through education. Some effective strategies to promote equality and diversity through education are to learn about the diverse beliefs, cultures, and practices of others, partner with local schools to promote nursing careers among culturally diverse populations and stay informed about the best practices and latest research on equality and diversity.

One thing I always felt was important when I worked in nursing leadership was to promote participation in seminars and workshops. By participating in things like this, you get to interact with others and learn together, which helps bring even more awareness to diversity and equality and what it means.

WAY #5: Advocate for Patients

Of all the roles nurses fill, being a patient advocate is one of the most important. Advocating for patients is an excellent way to promote equality and diversity in healthcare. You can make a difference by building strong nurse-patient relationships, advocating for equal access to healthcare services, educating patients, and helping to reduce health disparities.

One way to accomplish these goals is to identify barriers that prevent patients from receiving care, such as financial limitations, lack of transportation to healthcare facilities, and language barriers, and then work with your teams to try and address those barriers. Also, tailor nursing care plans to your patient's individual needs, considering their social, economic, and cultural contexts, and show respect by incorporating your patient's practices and beliefs into their care.

WAY #6: Get Involved in Community Engagement Opportunities

Getting involved in community engagement opportunities is an excellent, effective way nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare. When you engage with your community, you can understand their needs and challenges, which can help you design and implement contextually, culturally respectful, and appropriate interventions when caring for patients. Also, by having regular interaction with community members, you can build trust between you and potential patients, which increases the likelihood of them seeking care and following medical advice, which improves community health outcomes.

WAY #7: Help Create and Support an Inclusive Work Environment

Several years ago, I worked at a university hospital. I worked closely with doctors, medical school students, and nursing students from all over the world. Some of the greatest lessons I learned about being a good, compassionate nurse were taught by people who were different from me but shared the same goal of being excellent members of the healthcare community. I learned from them because I demonstrated a willingness to support an inclusive work environment where they felt comfortable working with me and mentoring me.

Creating and supporting an inclusive work environment is not only the responsibility of nursing leaders and administrators but also every nurse and healthcare team member. Some effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare through inclusivity are to create a safe place for staff to share their perspectives and experiences and practice active listening. If you are a nurse leader, encourage continuous education and training sessions on diversity, equity, inclusion, unconscious bias, and cultural competence topics.

My Final Thoughts

Promoting equality and diversity in healthcare is vital for providing quality patient care. To do so, we must ask, "What are effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare?” By implementing the 7 effective ways nurses can promote equality and diversity in healthcare featured in this article, you can positively impact your workplace, patients, and communities.

List Of Sources Used For This Article

1. “What Is Cultural Competence in Nursing? (With Examples, Importance, & Barriers)” (nursingprocess.org)
2. “The Role of Nurses in Promoting Diversity & Inclusion in Healthcare” (Eagle Gate College)