AMSN Official Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
AMSN and MSNCB are committed to strengthening our diversity, equity, and inclusion, to ensure these are woven deeply into the fabric of our mission, goals, and the experiences we provide for our nurses. Embracing diverse perspectives leads to hearing multiple perspectives on issues, realizing full potentials, and finding innovative solutions.
- Diversity refers to the many ways people may differ and includes factors such as gender; race; ethnicity; sexual orientation; age; disability status; geographic location; expertise; professional and life experiences; experience with our work; and AMSN membership and CMSRN certification. ·
- Equity is of utmost importance to our organizations, as we are focused on helping to remove any of the barriers that may inhibit participation by any group or individual.
- Inclusion is consistently and openly inviting and encouraging members and certificants who have historically been underrepresented – including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups –to apply for opportunities and engage with AMSN & MSNCB.
We firmly stand by this commitment as we serve our entire nursing community.
Access Our AMSN Elevate Series Free DEI E-Learning Training Module Here
AMSN conducted a member survey in the Fall of 2020 to gauge interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) topics; members' professional experience with DEI; and expectations for professional associations to lead DEI efforts. We received 310 responses. Results have been used to guide AMSN in meeting member’s needs in supporting and effecting change on DEI issues.
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AMSN stands with nurses in celebration of the recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It is a positive step that recognizes a painful past that has contributed to health inequity, divisiveness, and systemic racism. As the most trusted profession in the United States, nurses should take the lead in the movement to eliminate systemic racism. The first step involves acknowledging that a problem exists. The second is to understand history as it relates to our patients, our colleagues, and the role history has played in the perpetuation of systemic racism. Knowledge is power. The following websites can provide a history of Juneteenth and perspectives of experienced racism by fellow nurses.
Drafted June 17, 2021
The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) expresses its profound gratitude for the jurors who rendered a verdict, and for the witnesses and public officials who together marked an important step toward justice for the murder of George Floyd. We extend our deepest sympathy for Mr. Floyd’s family and loved ones who miss him.
Nurses stand for and provide needed care for people in their times of need and vulnerability. Mercy, justice, and antiracism are core to nurses’ responsibilities - and everyone’s. These responsibilities continue until “living while Black” and “living” are one and the same, and until every person and their potential are kept safe through mutual recognition of their essential humanity and by equal protection under the law. This one event marks a single step in a long journey.
AMSN’s continuing commitment to end racism, its statement against discrimination and violence, and its mission for patients are integral to our profession and to the advancement of health in every respect.
Drafted April 21, 2021
Medical-surgical nurses protect patients and health when they are most vulnerable. Instances of mass violence - most recently in Atlanta and Boulder - arise from a profound lack of respect for human life that concerns us greatly. We are compelled to stand against this dehumanization, discrimination and violence because as nurses we see it endangers the most vulnerable people in society.
Every person has value. No person deserves discrimination for their race, gender, sexual orientation/identity, age, disability, ethnicity or workplace. No person should have discrimination and senseless violence deprive them of their life, liberty or pursuit of happiness. Persons undertaking such behaviors deserve the full weight of the law and our system of justice.
Dehumanizing a person, or a whole race or gender or community of persons, is wrong. The dehumanization that leads from discrimination to violence is in complete conflict with the values nurses represent. It must stop. Just as discrimination and violent behaviors are learned, recognizing and valuing humanity and individuals is also learned and a primary attribute of nursing.
*On March 17th, AMSN quickly began drafting a statement condemning violence against the AAPI community, irrespective of the motives of the killer. While the statement was in the review process, the Boulder, Colorado shooting occurred. As a result, we have broadened our statement to speak out against all violence and discrimination. This does not lessen, however, our commitment to the AAPI community and against the precipitous rise in violence against them since January 2020. #StopAsianHate
Drafted April 1, 2021
The Arkansas legislature recently passed legislation (HB1570) forbidding referral or treatment for gender transition procedures to any individual under 18 years of age.
We oppose replacing health care professional and patient judgement and evidence-based decision-making with political judgement that discriminates against our fellow human beings and patients. Such discrimination in health care is wrong. It is inconsistent with the values of nursing. It should be overturned. It should not be followed by other states.
We medical-surgical nurses stand for the value of every person and patient and for their access to excellent health care. Transgender persons are wrongly subject to discrimination and violence that burdens their mental health and well-being, and deserve access to quality health care same as anyone else.
Make a Pledge to End Racism
In June 2020 AMSN released a statement stating our commitment to end racism, in which there were four actions AMSN committed to undertake related to acknowledgement, engagement, advancing policy and educating nurses. We pledge to do our part to end racism. We recognize that racism harms people, health care and health. As we move forward, we invite you to join us in our pledge to end racism. We invite to share your pledge with us, to engage with us in committing to do all we can do to stop racism
Take the Pledge.
More Resources and Content on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from AMSN
April 19, 2021
“We genuinely believe that we, as nurses, start from a position of caring and compassion,” Hinkley says. “We believe that every nurse wants the best possible outcome for their patient, and for their teammates to be respected and supported as an integral part of the team.”
Mar 26, 2021
Anti-racism in Health Care: The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Launches Far-Reaching Diversity , Equity, and Inclusivity Campaign...
Mar 26, 2021
AMSN first spoke out on issues of DEI with an anti-racism pledge in June 2020. We committed to doing more and we have been working to make that happen. I wanted to provide an update on the work we have been doing and our next steps...
Feb 10, 2021
In recognition and support of Black History Month, which is from February 1st to March 1st, I thought it would be helpful to provide some background on the month and some celebrations/resources you can explore to learn more. AMSN remains committed to diversity , equity, and inclusion ( DEI ) initiatives and has begun work on an educational program addressing DEI in health care and the work environment. We are forming a steering committee and a task force to address how AMSN will move forward as an ...
Nov 4, 2020
We begin to work on an initiative that addresses diversity , equity and inclusivity ( DEI ). As a result of the pandemic, AMSN held its first completely virtual convention in October. It was a resounding success with lots of opportunities for networking and collaboration. The sessions were exceptional and provided a wealth of information and takeaways that I’m still trying to wade through...
Sep 28, 2019
We discuss healthcare disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ population and share our journey toward providing culturally competent care to the LGBTQ+ community utilizing Health Equality Index (HEI) as a resource. This work is beneficial to our patients and families as well as our LGBTQ+ employees...
Sep 2, 2020
I’m also excited about other opportunities for professional development that AMSN is working on. Did you know that AMSN’s Core Curriculum for Medical-Surgical Nursing is being updated? Heather Craven is the editor and she, along with a host of other authors, is working hard to provide pertinent and timely information. There are several new chapters in the Core this year as well including Stroke, LGBTQ topics...
Sep 14, 2018
After completing this learning activity, the participant will be able to understand the importance of incorporating LGBTQ education into nursing programs as well as creating organizational cultures that are inclusive and diverse...