The African American nurse is a hardworking, undervalued caregiver who deserves recognition. African Americans have been nurses for decades, but they often go unrecognized. They are the backbone of the profession and their contributions deserve more attention. This article will focus on three steps that you can take to support them in your workplace or community:
1) Validate African American Nurses‘ Work with Recognition
2) Address Racism Through Education
3) Support African American Nurses by Purchasing from Black-Owned Businesses
Validate: they are undervalued and African Americans in general still face racism, despite their commitment to the profession. They should be recognized for their contributions with awards or acknowledgments like African-American Nurses Week (May 11-17).
Addressing Racism through Education: The majority of people hold biases based on race without realizing it. Educating yourself about the history of African Americans and how that affects today’s society will help you identify your own bias when confronted with one at work or home.
Supporting them: To add value to black lives, we must support them financially as well as emotionally. By purchasing products and services from businesses owned by African Americans, we are telling them that they matter.
A Valuable Resource for All: they have a unique perspective and set of skills that can be beneficial to all people, regardless of race. We should embrace the diversity within our nursing workforce and learn from the experiences of these nurses.
In honor of African-American Nurses Week, let’s take a closer look at some ways we can support these valuable healthcare professionals.
One way to show your appreciation is by acknowledging African American Nurses Week (May 11-17). This special week was created to celebrate the important contributions made by these nurses throughout history. There are many things you can do to participate, such as wearing pins or ribbons or displaying posters in your workplace.
Another way to support them is by actively recruiting them into your nursing workforce. Nursing schools and healthcare organizations should make a concerted effort to attract African American students and nurses. There are many talented and qualified nurses who can make great contributions to the nursing profession, but they need to be given the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing.
Finally, we can show our support for them by valuing their experiences and expertise. Nurses of all backgrounds bring unique perspectives to the table, which can help improve patient care. These nurses have dealt with racism and discrimination throughout their careers, so they can offer valuable insights on how to address these issues head-on.
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