How exciting it was for the NJSNA Addressing Racism in New Jersey Nursing Task Force to host the documentary screening of Shift Films “Everybody’s Work: Healing what hurts us all” on October 26, 2024. Shift Films explains the film as one that “examines the hidden disease plaguing healthcare in the United States: structural racism. Through the lens of fearless nurses, this documentary not only exposes the biases that result in worse healthcare outcomes for people of color, but it captures the painful impact they have — both on patients and nurses”.
After the film, we hosted a panel discussion that was moderated by Task Force member, Sheila Caldwell, BSN, RN, CSN, FNASN. She posed questions to our four person panel that consisted of: Dr. Gina Miranda-Diaz, Health Officer of the City of East Orange Dept. of Health and Human Services and past NAHN-NJ President and past NJ Board of Nsg member; Kyle Abinales, BSN, RN, PCCN, Night shift nurse at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center and member of the Phillipines Nurses Association of NJ; Margaret Hopkins, BSN, RN, OCN, HNB-BC, Infusion nurse at HUMC’s John Theurer Cancer Centere and current NJSNA Region 2 President; and Dr. Harriet Coleman, DNP, APN-C, NCSN, CSN, Retired East Orange School Nurse.
The questions posed to the panel ranged from reflecting on their feelings after watching the documentary to the first time they witnessed or experienced racial discrimination of a patient or nurse to sharing their solutions to help interrupt the established patterns of structural racism and bias in NJ nursing. The panelists were very candid in responding. There were moments where tears surely came to the eyes of attendees as the panelists shared moments of vulnerabilities throughout their nursing careers.
Some of the final thoughts from the panelists shared was how this work needs to continue where there is more and more awareness that these constructs exist and one of the most important places to start is in nursing academia.
We want to thank Shift Films and also the panelists.
Keep watch for updates and activities as the NJSNA Addressing Racism in New Jersey Nursing Task Force continues on in this journey. Email address – addressingracisminnjnursing@gmail.com.
Attendee Testimonies
“Things I have heard and said in the past, and the tug to challenge such narratives then and now. It was amazing to hear it out in the open. We need more conversations. We need to listen. We need to change attitudes and perspectives. Thank you to the panelists for their vulnerability.” – Mary Ellen L.
“This is a powerful and impactful documentary about racism in nursing. While the words and acts of racism can negatively impact your fellow nurses and patient outcomes. Be intentional when you speak remember that words have meaning. Be an interrupter when you hear racists’ tropes.” – Anonymous
For more information about this documentary – Visit https://www.shiftnursing.com/everybodys-work/
