Speaking truth to power: Teaching nursing students about social justice

Patricia Butterfield, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, Dept of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, Box 357263, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-543-4436, pbutter@u.washington.edu

Public health nurses (PHNs) often face difficulties reconciling an abstract notion of social justice with the practical challenges of taking social justice actions in overburdened and under-resourced public health departments. Likewise, nursing textbooks are replete with discussions of social justice that are theoretical in nature, but leave students with little guidance that reflects the complexity and subtlety of public health practice. As a result, PHN clinicians, students and educators alike are confused about how to put the principles of social justice into action. The goal of this segment of the session will be to validate the importance of social justice to public/community health nursing curriculum and identify approaches and educational strategies that will help the next generation of nurses act in accordance with social justice principles.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of the session participants will be able to

1. Critically examine different conceptualizations of social justice.
2. Examine the challenges inherent in teaching social justice principles to undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
3. Discuss pedagogical approaches that are well suited to helping students gain both a conceptual and operational understanding of social justice.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation

Speaking Truth to Power: Reclaiming PHN's Social Justice Role

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA