A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) sheds light on nurses’ experiences with racism and discrimination in the workplace, and the findings indicate a significant issue.
Nurses are experiencing a widespread prevalence of racism and discrimination in the health care system, according to a nationwide survey conducted by RWJF in collaboration with the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The research team surveyed 980 nurses, from March 23, 2022 to April 7, 2022, to better understand nurses’ perceptions of and experiences with discrimination and racism both in the workplace and at nursing schools.
"If we are to truly provide just and equitable care to our patients, we as nurses must hold ourselves accountable for our own behavior and work to change the systems that perpetuate racism and other forms of discrimination," said Beth Toner, RN, director of program communications, RWJF, in a statement.
The survey results reveal a concerning number of nurses have been experiencing racism and discrimination both from patients and colleagues.
Key findings include:
- Of the total nurses surveyed, 79 percent have seen or experienced racism/discrimination from patients, and 59 percent reported racism/discrimination from colleagues.
- Black/African American and Asian nurses were more likely have seen or experienced racism/discrimination from patients or colleagues.
- Sixty-six percent of nurses have seen or experienced microaggressions from patients due to race and ethnicity, and 47 percent reported microaggressions from colleagues.
- Only 23 percent of nurses formally reported their experiences with racism/discrimination to management.
- While 91 percent of nurses said diversity and inclusion among staff is an organizational priority, 68 percent also believe there is a need for increased training and education on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
- Forty-four percent of nurses said they believe racism/discrimination was a part of the culture at their nursing school, with Black/African American nurses almost twice as likely as white nurses to believe so.
- Seventy-nine percent of nurses said there is a need for additional training and education on diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing school.