[NRSKarenRN]

Health Disparities: What Can Nursing Do?

POLICY POLIT NURS PRACT 2007 8: 285-291. [Abstract]
Gloria R. Smith, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN

Health disparities result from lack of caring within the society. Central to nursing, caring makes the profession best suited for leadership in reducing disparities. Nursing is losing its capacity for caring. Nursing's progress in gaining status has alienated it from the needs of other oppressed groups. It has also been seduced by the scientific model and does not always use its best judgment of truths about human suffering. Research has identified unequal treatment, discrimination, workplace and social status, income inequality, and policy decisions to deplete resources as social and economic determinants of health. All involve relationships. Nursing is the profession for which relationships are primary. Nursing can rebuild the capacity for caring and social and relational practice through transforming nursing education on the principle of mutuality. Nursing can also promote nurse-managed primary care and focus on changing local, state, and national policies to increase access, equity, and health protection

[herring_RN]

It seems like corporations, even healthcare corporations, don't value what they can't charge for.
So hanging an IV is considered more importnt than attending to a patients spiritual or phychosocial needs.
Fear and pain can kill too.

Compassion and caring are essential to nursing.

[mdfog10]

"Nursing can also promote nurse-managed primary care and focus on changing local, state, and national policies to increase access, equity, and health protection."

Yes, we can change policies. Support HR 676!!!!Single payer healthcare. Even Physicians are calling for the change to single payer healthcare. We all see endless tragedy and injustice in our dysfunctional healthcare system.

[CITCAT]

When is the united states going to take its head out of the sand and see that the problem of healthcare is not going to go away continuing on the current course the question is When are all the united states peoples going to be universal in health and care Or is it the healthcare ceos or the ama lobbists in dc doing the talking? AARP has finally on the ball has a nurse as its president UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.ORG WHICH END ARE YOU THE DONKEY OR THE ELEPHANT?This is a important year for the nurse let your primary candidate know where you stand dont fall for the lie that we cant have unviersal care, remember tis your country of thee

[RN Power Ohio]

In addition to supporting HR 676 supporting minimum mandated ratio's would help to equalize quality of care. Ratio's would provide a guaranteed level of equal staffing regardless of race or financial status of a community.
Every patient deserves a nurse.