Journal of Nursing Scholarship
Volume 33, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 389-394

Immigrant nurses' experience of racism (Article)

Hagey R.* , Choudhry U. , Guruge S. , Turrittin J. , Collins E. , Lee R.
  • a Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • b School of Nursing, Windsor University, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • c Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • d Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • e School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ont., Canada
  • f [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

Purpose: To document and describe the experiences of immigrant nurses of colour who have filed grievances concerning their employers' discriminatory practices; and to solicit their views of existing policies and recommendations for equity in professional life. Design and Methods: In this descriptive, exploratory study nine immigrant nurses of colour in Ontario, Canada, were interviewed between 1997 and 1998. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and in focus groups. The discourse theory and methods of van Dijk and Essed were used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings: Recurring themes were: (a) being marginalized and acknowledging and naming the racist experiences; (b) experiencing physical stress and emotional pain; (c) strategizing to cope and survive; (d) recommending policy changes. Conclusions: All nurses interviewed had experienced reprisals as a result of complaining or filing grievances and unfairness was encountered in the redress process itself. Participants recommended policy initiatives to ensure equity and fair practices in the nursing profession.

Author Keywords

Racial discrimination Backlash Diversity Restorative justice

Index Keywords

social psychology Employee Grievances minority group human Interprofessional Relations Stress, Psychological mental stress policy nursing staff Humans Minority Groups Canada personnel management Organizational Policy Article Ontario migration Prejudice Emigration and Immigration public relations
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035751515&doi=10.1111%2fj.1547-5069.2001.00389.x&partnerID=40&md5=420c5f1030bb997cae8a9594829919dd
DOI: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2001.00389.x
ISSN: 15276546
Cited by: 53
Original Language: English