Other Titles

Effects of Toxic People [Session]

Abstract

Session presented on Sunday, November 8, 2015:

Background: Globalisation and the changing demographics of contemporary society call for a diverse health professionals' workforce to provide effective health care for all consumers. There has been growing interest in issues of diversity, social inclusion, and racism within the nursing profession and programs are being developed to promote diversity in the profession. This growing interest in understanding the importance of diversity and social inclusion, as well as the specific experiences of minority health professionals, holds promise for health care. Therefore, sustained efforts to create a healthy population should include examining the work life experiences of minority nurses already working in the system and creating a healthy work environment for all nurses irrespective their ethno-cultural backgrounds.

Purpose: This paper will present the findings of a grounded theory study that investigated the work life of visible minority nurses in Atlantic Canada.

Methodology: Qualitative study using grounded theory. In-depth individual interviews of twelve Registered Nurses (RN) were primary source of data collection. Snowball technique and theoretical sampling directed recruitment to enhance maximum variation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded. Constant comparative method was used for data analysis and Atlas ti computer software facilitated data storage and management.

Results: The paper will focus on the theme of relationship with professional colleagues and patients as well as the organizational culture that formed the backdrop to these relationships. It will explicate the conditions that influence the work life of visible minority nurses including racism, organizational culture and discrimination. It will discuss the impact that experiencing and witnessing racism have on the mental health of these nurses and their responses to differential treatment.

Conclusion: It will conclude with recommendations for fostering a healthy work environment for visible minority nurses including mentoring programs and opportunities for career advancements.

Description

43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Theme: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.

Author Details

Josephine B. Etowa, RN, PhD

Sigma Membership

Tau Gamma

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Visible Minority Nurses, Healthcare, Racism

Conference Name

43rd Biennial Convention

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Conference Year

2015

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

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Proxy-submission

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"Know what battle to fight and how to fight it": Navigating the cultural terrain of healthcare

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Session presented on Sunday, November 8, 2015:

Background: Globalisation and the changing demographics of contemporary society call for a diverse health professionals' workforce to provide effective health care for all consumers. There has been growing interest in issues of diversity, social inclusion, and racism within the nursing profession and programs are being developed to promote diversity in the profession. This growing interest in understanding the importance of diversity and social inclusion, as well as the specific experiences of minority health professionals, holds promise for health care. Therefore, sustained efforts to create a healthy population should include examining the work life experiences of minority nurses already working in the system and creating a healthy work environment for all nurses irrespective their ethno-cultural backgrounds.

Purpose: This paper will present the findings of a grounded theory study that investigated the work life of visible minority nurses in Atlantic Canada.

Methodology: Qualitative study using grounded theory. In-depth individual interviews of twelve Registered Nurses (RN) were primary source of data collection. Snowball technique and theoretical sampling directed recruitment to enhance maximum variation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded. Constant comparative method was used for data analysis and Atlas ti computer software facilitated data storage and management.

Results: The paper will focus on the theme of relationship with professional colleagues and patients as well as the organizational culture that formed the backdrop to these relationships. It will explicate the conditions that influence the work life of visible minority nurses including racism, organizational culture and discrimination. It will discuss the impact that experiencing and witnessing racism have on the mental health of these nurses and their responses to differential treatment.

Conclusion: It will conclude with recommendations for fostering a healthy work environment for visible minority nurses including mentoring programs and opportunities for career advancements.