Read the below discussion and respond to it with the above instructions.
1. Build upon two posts (from other students) by providing additional details, statistics, ideas, personal perspectives, or links to interesting, relevant articles.
2. Conclude response with new idea to further stimulate the discussion.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three values that have an important role in achieving health equity in healthcare. According to the article “The Rise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioners in Academic Nursing,” Fields et al. (2022), the demographics of the nursing workforce reveal that white nurses are overrepresented, consisting over 80% of the nursing population, while the racial and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented. Additionally, gender diversity is also lacking, 87% of nurses are females. As our country is becoming more diverse, creating an inclusive environment where individuals feel a sense of belonging is crucial in the healthcare field as it fosters positive work environment that enhances their well-being as well as improved health outcomes for patients. Also, it can help break down biases that may prevent access to healthcare services for underserved populations. By promoting DEI, healthcare organizations can address health disparities and work towards achieving health equity.
At my current hospital job, I am fortunate to work with diverse staff members that come from different backgrounds. Because of this, I feel more supported with advocating for the underrepresented patients. Also, as a nurse from an Asian American background and working with a big Asian population, I can contribute my cultural perspectives, insights, and experiences so that it can help with giving culturally competent care, especially for the Asian community.
On a daily basis, I strive to promote DEI in the workplace. One way I do this is by focusing on patient-centered care and meeting the unique needs of the diverse populations. I attend educational courses on cultural competency to increase my understanding so I can deliver care that is sensitive and appropriate to each patient’s cultural background. Additionally, I involve patients and families in their care decisions, provide culturally appropriate resources, and use interpreters if there is a language barrier. Not only is patient care important, it is equally important to treat co-workers and other staff members with respect, regardless of their background.
