Senior Nurses’ Understanding of Health Equity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify what senior nurses’ understanding of health equity is and to explore how health equity is embedded into nursing practice, in order to contribute to equitable nursing practice that leads to improved health outcomes for Māori. The research objectives of the study were to generate insight into how senior registered nurses understand health equity and to explore how health equity is embedded into practice. A kaupapa Māori research methodology was applied to this research. Eight senior nurses and one nurse practitioner from across Aotearoa-New Zealand participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were conducted. Four themes were identified, and are each presented under a whakatauaki (proverb). The factors identified by participants as impinging on health equity include cultural safety, the health system and its drivers, the environment and context nurses work within and the tools they access to enable health equity to be embedded into practice. Health inequities are long-standing in Aotearoa-New Zealand, and working towards achieving health equity is of national importance. Reference is made to closing the gaps of health inequity in strategic policy and regulatory body guidelines. While we recognise that health equity is paramount, findings from this study demonstrate there are a number of complexities that nursing and the health sector must address. At present, nursing is not fully equipped to rise up against the significant challenge of improving health inequity. Recommendations are made to move the workforce closer towards achieving health equity at a macro, meso and micro level.