Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Policies of National Nursing Organizations

Abstract

Discrimination due to gender, race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and socio-economic status negatively impacts health of these US populations. Implicit bias impacts the patient-provider relationship and healthcare outcomes. Efforts are ongoing to define implicit bias (IB), identify affected populations, and evaluate provider understanding of IB and its effect on patient care. Nurse leaders are in a unique position to address these issues through policy development. This review analyzes National Nursing Organizations’(NNO) availability of policies and clinical resources on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to engage, educate, and equip nurses to deliver patient-centered, culturally responsive care and to effectively recognize and respond to implicit bias in healthcare settings.