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Racial microaggressions in nursing: "We have a long way to go"
Heather Walsh1, Laurie A Theeke2, Richard Ricciardi2
1Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; Simulation Program, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.
Registered nurses frequently experience racial microaggressions, impacting their well-being and the nursing workforce. Understanding and addressing these incidents are crucial for fostering an inclusive environment in children's hospitals.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Disparities
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Racism in nursing poses significant risks to patient safety.
- It negatively impacts nurse well-being and professional performance.
- Racial microaggressions are a prevalent issue within the healthcare setting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of registered nurses regarding racial microaggressions.
- Focus on nurses working within a pediatric hospital environment.
Main Methods:
- Employed an exploratory qualitative research design.
- Utilized in-depth interviews for data collection.
Main Results:
- Identified 12 themes across three categories detailing nurses' experiences with microaggressions.
- Common experiences included biased first impressions, questioning credentials, and feelings of not belonging.
- Nurses employed strategies such as speaking up, nonconfrontation, seeking support, and exceeding expectations to cope.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights that both experiencing and perpetrating racial microaggressions are common among nurses.
- Nurses require training to effectively recognize and respond to microaggressions.
- Microaggressions hinder the development of a diverse nursing workforce.
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