Social Justice & Racial Equity in Nursing

The American Public Health Association (2020) defines social justice as “the view that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, which includes the right to good health, and to assure the opportunity to attain their highest health level, we must address the social determinants of health and equity.” Research has shown that biases buried beneath our awareness can powerfully shape and impact our actions in nursing and may influence the care that nurses provide. Bias and prejudices could overshadow nursing practice and contribute to behaviors that increase health inequities and disparities. According to the Future of Nursing 2030, diversity in nursing will improve health equity and the betterment of the nursing profession. 

At the end of this session, participants will be able to...

• identify behaviors that contribute to health disparities and health inequities that are related to social justice and racial equity in nursing. 
• put into practice three applications that support behaviors associated with social justices and racial equities in nursing. 
• recognize language and behaviors implicating unconscious bias tendencies in nursing practice. 
• define 3 types of unconscious bias 
• discuss recipes for success recommendations

Presented by Karen Rawls, PhD, MSN/ED RN, CEO Health Education Learning Programs, Inc. (HELP), Vice President Atlanta Black Nurses Association 

Dr. Karen Rawls is the President of her company, Health Education Learning Programs (HELP) and Vice President of the Atlanta Black Nurses Association. Dr. Rawls received her PhD in Nursing Education, specializing in nursing education and nursing research, from Capella University and holds a Master of Science in Nursing of Nursing Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Rawls has received numerous awards and accolades for her work in nursing to include Nurse of the Year in Nursing Education for the state of Georgia, Ambassador for Spirit of Healthy Living with the US White House Health and Human Services Department lead by the Surgeon General. Dr. Rawls has taught in many nursing colleges and Universities including two in China. She is a scholarly writer with published articles and literary works. She enjoys cooking, entertaining, music and the arts. Dr. Rawls is married with six children and 12 grandchildren.  

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved for 1.0 contact hour by the Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.   

This session is presented in partnership with the Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island, NY (NACLI) and the Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.