Nursing curriculum through a social justice lens: An upstream approach

摘要

Abstract This article describes a one‐day seminar rooted in critical interactionism for nursing students in a diverse urban setting in the United States. The authors are registered nurses and members of Nurses for Social Justice (NSJ)—a loose network of nurses and nursing students committed to societal change. Informed by the history of NSJ and larger social justice movements, the authors intentionally incorporate their personal experiences and offer an example of how nursing education can improve health at the micro and macro levels. The seminar starts with introductions and creating a safe space for authentic engagement. Students are guided to connect with their own journey to nursing and the experiences that have shaped their identities, including being oppressed and privileged. The lack of diversity within the nursing workforce and various nursing roles along the continuum of care are discussed. Case‐based scenarios are presented where students explore leveraging their power and privilege to effectively partner with individuals and communities. In closing, lessons learned are shared through a group activity that uses the ecologic model. Recommendations are made to equip nursing students with tools to better understand their role in the broader context of health.