Topic: Examine the leadership skills and qualities that need to be demonstrated in practice to promote ‘social justice’ in nursing.
Goal: The goal of this paper is to explore an issue from a nursing leadership perspective that influences current nursing practice, and to examine and analyze how nurses can address the issue to promote social justice.
In your essay discuss a prevalent social justice issue in nursing that is important to you and explain how you may address this issue. As a nurse, you are compelled to identify and act when there is social injustice in healthcare. Think about the decisions you may make to ensure safe and ethical care is provided that will help remove the disparities and improve your patient health outcomes.
Consider the nursing leadership skills and competencies you discussed in class and that identified by the College of Nurses (CNO). Explain how the leadership skills are critical in helping nurses provide safe and ethical care for the patients experiencing social injustices.
Start planning your essay: It is recommended that you complete a written draft of your paper. The work you put into your essay draft; the easier it will be to communicate and explain in writing your thoughts, points, and analyze your experience.
Potential topics to consider: (Choose one of the topics for your essay):
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Inequities in health care funding |
Indigenous health |
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Racism in health care |
Mental illness |
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Immigration and refugee access to health care and resources |
Health Literacy and education |
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Housing crisis and homelessness |
Violence against women and children |
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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights and access to health care and resources |
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Consider the following questions as you work on your draft and final paper:
1. What does social justice mean to you? What social injustice nursing issues is important to you? What is an example of social justice in nursing? How is social justice part of your life?
2. Examine how learning about the issue may influence your thoughts/opinions and the care you provide your patients.
3. What is the nurse’s role in promoting social justice?
4. What is the role of a formal leader?
5. Concepts from class readings?
6. What does nurse leadership mean to me?
7. Consider and identify the leadership skills that are outlined in CNO.
8. Review the CNO Professional Standard, CNO Nursing Competencies and CNO Code of Conduct. How does my practice align with the leadership outlined in the CNO Professional Standards?
9. How am I developing as a leader and how can I expand my leadership potential?