nursingforsocialjustice

In recent months I have begun to question the relationship between the structure of psychiatry and the practice of mental health nursing. The terms “psychiatric nursing” and “mental health nursing” are often used as synonyms. Is it just semantics? Do they mean the same thing? Do they do the same…

It’s hard to be critical of the same group of people who we celebrated for being so selfless and compassionate during the Covid-19 crisis. The cognitive dissonance of the same people who are running into the room with gown, gloves and mask amidst a pandemic also having racist actions is…

The image below is from the U.S. Democratic Socialists Facebook page. When images like this are posted the intention is to do good. The action is intended to challenge the dominance of violence in policing. The poster wants to offer an alternative, a different narrative, one in which people who…

I worked a shift at work the other day. It was me and other nurses who shared my care philosophy. I felt like I could breathe. I felt like we were all on the same page. I felt like we all had the same goal. I am still reflecting on…

How can we understand where we are today without knowing what happened yesterday? What is history? What is the value? For more information click here. History isn’t static. It’s is not a bunch of facts and artifacts that exist that are reported on and remembered in an objective way. Someone…

How does empowering happen? Is this something to give? Is this done by helping someone understand personal responsibility? What is the utility or benefit of doing this with someone who is in a position of deep empowerment? For example a woman who is experience domestic violence? Is the emergency room…

The world we live in is complex. In our world there are different groups that have more power, and groups that have less power. Never has it been more important for us to think deeply and act swiftly about how to re-organize systems we take for granted as true and…

Is re-branding actually something? Is it action? Change the label and the content will sort itself out? Sometimes spaces that we label as healing are so cold and uncaring. Sometimes they are spaces of isolation, separation and re-affirms power differentials. I suspect making a place more prison-like detracts from the…

Is nursing an art or a science? The eternal nursing debate. One thing is clear, until nursing embraces technology fully, welcoming it with full embrace into the heart of our profession it will remain challenging to stay in this evidence-informed space and place. Case in point, the Covid-19 pandemic. What…

What is quizzical judgement? I want to hear more, through my value-filter, to organize information in accordance with my schema. What an interesting crossroads we are standing in. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Covid crisis is bringing some people together, driving some people apart, solidifying biases and creating…