Social Justice

RESPOND TO THIS POST Social justice is defined as “formal systems that exist to decide who gets what in terms of social goods such as education, food, shelter, and healthcare,” (Grace, 2017, pg., 427). Examples of social injustices within our society include discrimination and inequality related to gender and race, and affordable healthcare are the most common issues of present day America. Unfortunately, the most pressing issues are predominately in the United States health care system where allocation of services are not universal for all citizens. Across most cultures, justice is viewed as an individuals right to be treated equally with respect to moral concern. All humans deserve the same rights and opportunities, from access to healthcare to safe spaces. “However, a large body of literature critiques the U.S. healthcare system as being systematically unjust,” (Grace, 2017, pg., 127). This is evident in practice when patient’s come in unwilling to provide identification or any information on family who can support them or refuse certain basic treatments and tests due to the potential coverage of their insurance. As nurses we often find ourselves in the mist of social justice issues because of the direct care we provide to our patients. Assuming the role of a nurse demands for a humanistic and professional responsibility to understand the boundaries and challenges of social justice for there to be adequate care provided to each individual. Over the years, nursing has played a pivotal role in addressing and promoting awareness of cultural and social justice issues through transcultural nursing and cultural safety (Giddings, 2005). At every level of nursing, there is a way impact can take place. Individual nurses at a basic level have the opportunity to learn about the injustices associated with human rights and equality to then further apply it in practice. Commitment to nursing reflects the “intent to achieve an sustain health as a means to the common good so that individuals…can develop to their fullest potential and live with dignity,” (Association & Hegge, 2015, pg., 31). When this is compromised, the nurse can escalate the issue to higher authority following the sequence of reporting appropriate to the institution. Advanced practice nurses can have a more liberal approach to social justice issues because of their position held in healthcare delivery. APN’s have the power to take action on their own or collaborate with other concerned individuals in the community. In advanced practice, individuals are able effect policy changes that may potentially alter the future of the healthcare system. “As disciplinary leaders, APN’s have crucial collaborative and integrative roles to plan in addressing justice issues for their patients,” (Grace, 2017, pg., 128). It is the responsibility of APN’s to propose change in addressing social injustice at a political level for the population served. Emphasis should be placed on developing a basic healthcare system, specifically at the advanced level, that at minimum encompass human rights that will eliminate social injustices compatible with the U.S. healthcare financing arrangements. Sadly, the U.S. healthcare system is currently fragmented and remains “vulnerable to a deterioration of health,” among patients who are experiencing social justice issues (Grace, 2017, pg., 138). References: Association, A. N., & Hegge, M. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements (2nd ed.). Alpharetta: American Nurses Association. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/[SITE_ID]/detail.action?docID=5194578 Giddings, L. (2005). Health disparities, social injustice, and the culture of nursing. Nursing Research, 54(5), 304-312. doi:10.1097/00006199-200509000-00004 Grace, P. J. (2017). Nursing ethics and professional responsibility in advanced practice (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.