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America Needs Practitioners to Advocate for Social Justice
Racial disparities have been a major problem in the health care system. People of color
have no voice, for not everyone is focused on ensuring equal treatment in all sectors, more so the
healths care system. Covid-19 being a deadly virus, came out strongly and did not discriminate
against any person; this disease gave out a statement to everyone by showing no one is special in
any way. The death of George Floyd captured the world's attention on how blacks are treated,
and because of this, finally, the calls for reforms to change and be better were implemented.
According to their code of ethics, nurses have an ethical commitment to promoting health
and human rights while also reducing inequities. As much as the government may advocate that
black lives matter, there are still so many people who feel that they are so different from the
black people, including nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners as professionals should behave in
a manner different from others by focusing on what is important, which is the health of all their
patients equally.
When a group of DNP students was asked how nurse practitioners should address
systemic racism, they stated that patients do not want caregivers to be politically involved. It is
not bad to be politically active, but it is better done on the best grounds that do not involve a
person's life. The group also supported that professional organizations should make clear
statements of decrying racism and asking for an end to inequalities.
The nurse practitioners may feel powerless to lead in addressing issues of racial injustice
when compared to physicians because of the power they possess (Russell,2020). Nonetheless,
they represent one of the largest groups of health professionals in the country, and whatever
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actions they take will have a significant impact. The nurses should come together and address the
barriers that racism has caused in our society to ensure there is a change in the health sector and
all sectors.
The need to have open discussions is also a very thoughtful idea; when a burning issue
such as this one regarding real people's opinions tends to rise to bring change. Many people can
reason according to the circumstances presented to them and come up with different solutions.
Earlier it has been a norm to issue statements of how people should conduct themselves, but now
actions should speak louder than words. Ways of how people violate the rules should be stated
clearly and adhered to accordingly to ensure that people will embrace the change.
Nurse practitioners should take the lead in dismantling racism-supporting measures, and
the greatest thing is that they have advice on how to do so. With the assistance of the code of
ethics, which encourages nurses to take the lead on public issues and collaborate to reform
inequitable systems, they can commence what all people, white or black, deserve.
In conclusion, nurse practitioners are very important individuals who can ensure that the
health system is racism-free. They should ensure that they push necessary reforms to ensure that
all individuals receive equal treatment, even though the employer may be against it to ensure that
we live in a healthy nation that respects everyone's rights.