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Immigrant Nurses' Experience of Racism
Author(s) -
Hagey Rebecca,
Choudhry Ushi,
Guruge Sepali,
Turrittin Jane,
Collins Enid,
Lee Ruth
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of nursing scholarship
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1547-5069
pISSN - 1527-6546
DOI - 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2001.00389.x
Subject(s) - redress , immigration , racism , equity (law) , qualitative research , exploratory research , nursing , face (sociological concept) , focus group , sociology , psychology , public relations , political science , medicine , gender studies , law , social science , anthropology
Purpose: To document and describe the experiences of immigrant nurses of colour who have filed grievances concerning their employers' discriminatory practices; and to solicit their views of existing policies and recommendations for equity in professional life. Design and Methods: In this descriptive, exploratory study nine immigrant nurses of colour in Ontario, Canada, were interviewed between 1997 and 1998. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews and in focus groups. The discourse theory and methods of van Dijk and Essed were used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings: Recurring themes were: (a) being marginalized and acknowledging and naming the racist experiences; (b) experiencing physical stress and emotional pain; (c) strategizing to cope and survive; (d) recommending policy changes. Conclusions: All nurses interviewed had experienced reprisals as a result of complaining or filing grievances and unfairness was encountered in the redress process itself. Participants recommended policy initiatives to ensure equity and fair practices in the nursing profession.