Determining the Nurse’s Role as an Advocate for Social Justice

Social Justice in Nursing: Advocacy for Equitable Healthcare
The idea of social justice has taken on great prominence as a cornerstone of nursing
ethics in a society that is becoming more varied and interdependent. In its simplest form, social
justice refers to the equitable allocation of resources, opportunities, and advantages within
society, guaranteeing that everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their innate traits or
environmental factors. Social justice becomes fundamental in the healthcare industry as it works
to close gaps, ensure all people have access to care, and give marginalized groups more power.
This essay examines the significance of social justice in nursing, the nursing profession's
obligations to promote it, and the function of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in this cause. It
also explores two instances of social injustice and how they affect health.
Social Justice in Nursing: A Core Tenet

Nursing's ethical underpinning, which is based on the idea that every person has a right to
impartial, equal care regardless of their origin or identity, is embodied by social justice. Social
justice fits in perfectly with nursing's holistic approach to patient care, which includes the
patient's physical health and mental, emotional, and social well-being (Edwards, 2019). As
patient advocates and healthcare professionals, nurses are responsible for ensuring that everyone
is treated with respect and dignity and that they get all the care they need. The significance of
resolving health inequities that result from structural injustices, such as socioeconomic position,
race, gender, and sexual orientation, is further highlighted by social justice.

Advocacy for Social Justice: The Nursing Profession's Responsibility
The nursing profession plays a crucial role in promoting social justice within healthcare
systems. Nurses provide important insights into diverse groups' individual and communal health
needs because they are frequently at the frontline of patient care. They may support social justice
by promoting the value of preventive care and education, speaking out against unfair policies,
and bringing attention to discrepancies (Guthmann et al., 2021). Additionally, nurses can actively
participate in interdisciplinary collaboration, working alongside other medical specialists,
legislators, and local leaders to promote change and remove obstacles to receiving high-quality
treatment.

Advanced Practice Nurses: Agents of Social Justice

People who are advanced practice nurses have a more diverse range of knowledge and
skills, which allows them to promote social justice more effectively. APNs can participate in
varied advocacy activities by carrying out studies demonstrating how social inequalities affect
health outcomes and applying their knowledge to provide evidence-based policy proposals. Their
responsibilities also include:

 Giving speeches in front of groups of people.
 Participating in community activities.
 Training the next generation of nurses to value social justice in their work.
APNs can also use their leadership abilities to work with groups and institutions that
advance health equity.

Examples of Social Injustices and Their Impact on Health

Racism and poverty are two stark instances of social injustices that significantly impact
health outcomes. Racism, supported by institutionalized biases and discriminatory actions,
causes emotional harm and adds to physiological stress, which may result in chronic health
problems (Owens & Justice, 2019). Similarly, poverty—having little access to healthcare,
education, or wholesome food—is linked to higher rates of sickness and mortality. Health
disparities are made worse because people who experience these injustices frequently face
obstacles to receiving medical care and preventive services.

AACN Essentials and Addressing Social Injustices

The essential competencies necessary to combat social inequalities are aligned with the
framework provided by the AACN Essentials for Nursing Education. To advocate for equality,
Competency 1 highlights the significance of knowing the socioeconomic determinants of health,
whereas Competency 2 emphasizes the value of good communication for advancing justice.
Collaboration is emphasized in Competency 3, which is crucial for creating comprehensive
healthcare strategies that address disparities (Parvez Butt & Valerio, 2020). Competency 5
emphasizes the leadership required to drive systemic change and advance social justice, while
Competency