Perspectives and corrective processes: Evaluating social justice in a nursing PhD program

Efforts to integrate tenets of social justice into PhD nursing programs are long-standing but have intensified in the past few years in response to civil unrest, threats to human rights, and health inequities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present an overview of our Scho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nursing outlook 2023-07, Vol.71 (4), p.101990-101990, Article 101990
Main Authors: Aponte, Ravenne, French, Rachel, Flores, Dalmacio Dennis, Matura, Lea Ann, Lipman, Terri H., Carthon, J. Margo Brooks
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Equity
Nursing
PhD education
Social justice
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Summary:Efforts to integrate tenets of social justice into PhD nursing programs are long-standing but have intensified in the past few years in response to civil unrest, threats to human rights, and health inequities exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present an overview of our School of Nursing’s efforts and processes to evaluate and ensure that social justice principles were reflected throughout the PhD program. Components of this initiative included (a) forming a Social Justice Taskforce, (b) conducting listening sessions with alumni and currently enrolled PhD students to understand student experiences, (c) surveying PhD students to aid in prioritization of recommendations for improvement, and (d) convening key stakeholders to connect student priority areas to institutional programs and practices. Lessons learned through these activities highlighted the importance of gaining the perspective of diverse constituents and stakeholders, acknowledging areas for improvement, engaging students in transformative action, and partnering with faculty, staff, and leaders in solution development as we work to eliminate systemic injustices in PhD nursing education. •Social Justice is a core component of nursing PhD programs.•Student revealed eight areas of consideration to incorporate social justice.•Meaningful change needs transformative action and sustained engagement.•Structural changes are needed to promote inclusive and equitable programs.•Integrating social justice requires curriculum, social, and financial changes.
ISSN:0029-6554
1528-3968
DOI:10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101990