Nursing is organized within a context of complex, rapidly changing, and interconnected contemporary global political, social, and economic environments. In this context, the nursing profession is also embedded within multiple sites and forms of visible and invisible oppression, where one group or individual uses power to maintain privilege and dominance over another. This chapter sets out to identify key dimensions of oppression and allyship in nursing, where nurses coming from dominant or privileged groups take action to reject and dismantle conditions of oppression, in particular nurses in Canada. This chapter also describes key demographic groups for whom the nursing profession must take up anti-oppressive approaches as well as describing how racism and discrimination are determinants of health. Awareness and cultural competence are explained and their relevance to the nursing profession. Cultural safety is also explained and how relational practice and anti-oppressive practice are central to the nursing profession. Important skills and tools required are discussed for anti-oppressive practice, advocacy, and action at the individual and organizational levels.
Elsevier
