Indigenous social exclusion to inclusion: Case studies on Indigenous nursing leadership in four high income countries.

Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2022
Issue Date:
2022
Full metadata record
Aims and objectives This discursive paper provides a call to action from an international collective of Indigenous nurse academics from Australia, Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and the USA, for nurses to be allies in supporting policies and resources necessary to equitably promote Indigenous health outcomes. Background Indigenous Peoples with experiences of colonisation have poorer health compared to other groups, as health systems have failed to address their needs and preferences. Achieving health equity will require leadership from Indigenous nurses to develop and implement new systems of care delivery. However, little is known about how Indigenous nurses influence health systems as levers for change. Design A Kaupapa Māori case study design. Methods Using a Kaupapa Māori case study methodology, coupled with expert Indigenous nursing knowledge, we developed a consensus on key themes. Themes were derived from three questions posed across the four countries. Themes were collated to illustrate how Indigenous nurses have provided nursing leadership to redress colonial injustices, contribute to models of care and enhance the Indigenous workforce. Results These case studies highlight Indigenous nurses provide strong leadership to influence outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Five strategies were noted across the four countries: (1) Indigenous nationhood and reconciliation as levers for change, (2) Indigenous nursing leadership, (3) Indigenous workforce strategies, (4) Development of culturally safe practice and Indigenous models of care and (5) Indigenous nurse activism. Conclusions In light of 2020 declared International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we assert Indigenous nurses’ work must be visible to support development of strategic approaches for improving health outcomes, including resources for workforce expansion and for implementing new care models. Relevance to clinical practice Curating strategies to promote Indigenous nurse leaders around the world is essential for improving models of healthcare delivery and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? These case studies demonstrate how Indigenous nurse leadership and models of health delivery can meet Indigenous and non-Indigenous community needs, currently not met by mainstream models of health care. Our vision is for an Indigenous nursing workforce that matches its population characteristics, has national and regional targets and aligned strategies for Indigenous workforce development and leadership with corresponding resources and political will.
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