Social Determinant of Health

as an advanced practice nurse (APN), engage in socially just nursing practice with the aim of decreasing health inequities and supporting health equity? Socially just nursing practice is to practice with the goal of fair and equal treatment of all individuals. Equal access and distribution of resources, as well as, unbiased decision-making help reduce disparities in healthcare (Timmons, 2021). The following post will discuss methods and examples to reduce health inequities that can be implemented in advanced nursing practice. Socially just nursing practice can be exemplified by advocating for the wellbeing of all patients (Timmons, 2021). Practicing in rural areas, providing care to vulnerable populations and virtual care (ex: telehealth), promotes access and distribution of healthcare resources (Baxter et al., 2024). Discussing and screening for social needs/ social determinants of health (SDOH) with involvement of the client can create self-awareness, self-empowerment, and encourage early discussion to combat impacting SDOH. APNs can also use experience to advocate for their patients by improving health inequities at the system-level (Lathrop, 2020). As personal bias can impact delivery and quality of care, recognition and awareness of personal and peer biases generates an environment reinforced by cultural humility. Supporting new nurses in implementing unbiased, equitable patient care initiates socially just nursing early in their career (Timmons, 2021). Lastly, involvement with committees that support health equity for vulnerable or minority populations, not only exemplifies the APN as a leader, but their engagement in socially just nursing practice, for example, Association for New Canadians (Lathrop, 2020; NASEM, 2017). Socially just nursing care is care that is compassionate, ethically sound, with proper allocation of resources. By refraining from stigmatizing, labeling, judging, and discrimination, nurses are fulfilling a portion of their many ethical responsibilities (CNA, 2017). What are some other examples of ethical responsibilities of APNs?