Active Offer: Nurses’ Power and Privilege Influencing Francophone and Acadian Patient Safety

Abstract

Nurses must communicate effectively with patients of a minority language to mitigate the risks of significant and costly patient safety issues. Within Canada’s predominant English healthcare delivery system, inadequate language translation during the provision of care between nurses fluent in English and patients whose primary language is Francophone or Acadian increases the risk of health inequities. This discussion explores the impact of nurses’ power and privilege related to Francophone and Acadian patient safety within an English-dominated healthcare system and their role to affect change. Through reflective practice, critical inquiry and activating the ‘Active offer’, nurses will be empowered to reduce safety risks for this population.

Keywords

• Privilege
• Safety
• Language
• Acadian
• Equity