Moving beyond the rhetoric of social justice in nursing education

Abstract

We argue that while the discipline of nursing aligns with the ideals of social justice and anti-racism, it has been challenging for nurse educators to translate these ideals into practice. In this discussion paper, we explore these challenges. Of note, there is little guidance for nurse educators to support student knowledge development in addressing the complex issues surrounding anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice. Accordingly, we utilized Peggy Chinn’s Peace and Power framework as a guide to develop an anti-racist practice that is underpinned by critical pedagogy. Our aim is to provide teaching and learning strategies for nurse educators to address racism, discrimination, and oppression in undergraduate nursing learning environments. Implications of this article include guidance for nurse educators who are committed to anti-racist pedagogical practice.

Keywords

• nursing education
• critical pedagogy
• anti-racism
• nurse educator
• anti-oppression