Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Nursing

Good Practice Statement 1.0: It is good practice for all health and social service organizations and academic institutions to provide ongoing education to students, faculty and staff to address anti-Black racism in nursing.

Recommendation 1.0: The expert panel suggests that health and social service organizations and academic institutions provide interactive education that includes and/or promotes dialogue and engagement and/or reflection to address anti-Black racism in nursing.

Recommendation 1.1: The expert panel suggests that health and social service organizations and academic institutions provide education programs led by experienced facilitators who foster authentic dialogue grounded in safety when addressing topics on anti-Black racism in nursing. Education programs may include:

• small and large group discussions
• critical self-reflection and self-sharing activities
• activities that challenge personal bias

Good practice statement 2.0: It is good practice for executive leaders and managers to develop, implement and evaluate zerotolerance policies regarding anti-Black racism in nursing.

Good practice statement 3.0: It is good practice for health and social service organizations and academic institutions to continually recognize the historical and contemporary contributions of Black nurses and other Black health professionals, particularly during Black History Month, African Heritage Month, and Caribbean Heritage Month.

Good practice statement 4.0: It is good practice for health and social service organizations and academic institutions to actively promote the retention, recruitment and career advancement of Black nurses and Black nursing students to increase representation of Black nurse leaders at all levels and in all sectors and settings.

Recommendation 2.0: The expert panel suggests that health and social service organizations and academic institutions establish formal mentorship programs to address anti-Black racism in nursing.

Recommendation 2.1: The expert panel suggests that health and social service organizations and academic institutions provide formal mentorship programs for Black nurses and Black nursing students and include the following:

• mentor-mentee dyads that emphasize positive empathetic relationships
• career progression and advancement strategies
• communication of expectations and goals

Recommendation 2.2: The expert panel suggests that health and social service organizations and academic institutions provide formal mentorship programs for Black nurses and Black nursing students to address discrimination and racism and include one or both of the following:

• racially concordant mentors
• non-racially concordant mentors practicing cultural humility

Good practice statement 5.0: It is good practice for executive leaders to establish anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging committees that include Black nurse leaders or Black representation from all levels of the health or social service organizations or academic institutions (e.g., HR, staff, alumni and executive leadership).