School of Nursing adds anti-racism language to its official diversity and inclusion position statement
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has revised its diversity and inclusion statement to include language that specifies the school’s rejection of racism and commitment to racial equity and equality.
The revised statement now incorporates the following paragraph:
We reject racism of any kind, be it systemic, institutional, or individual. We acknowledge the painful histories related to racism even within the nursing discipline, including education, practice, and research. We pledge to not let an unjust past continue to determine the future. We will enact practices which promote anti-racism and social justice across all entities within VUSN.
The revision was developed after discussions and town halls with the VUSN community regarding racism and social justice. Using input from students, faculty and staff, the school’s diversity and inclusion committee drafted the statement. Its final version was approved by the executive committee of the school, the VUSN Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Dean Linda D. Norman, DSN, FAAN.
“Our previous statement implied the school’s commitment to racial equality and anti-racism, but we wanted to be more explicit,” said Rolanda Johnson, PhD’98, VUSN associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion. “As individuals and as a school, we commit to not just fostering diversity and equity, but to rejecting racism, the root of inequality and social injustice.”
VUSN’s anti-racism commitment aligns with Vanderbilt University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. It is part of the School of Nursing’s comprehensive EDI plan, which includes social justice activities, an inclusion campaign, education, training, and classroom and community activism.
“This is just one of many steps in creating a more inclusive environment within the school and combatting racism and racial injustice,” said Norman, the Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing. “While we have been working to make VUSN inclusive, equitable and diverse for a long time, we aren’t there yet. We will continue to work within VUSN and with the Vanderbilt community to apply our unique experiences, knowledge and strengths to the issues that divide us. ”
VUSN’s updated diversity and inclusivity and anti-racism statement is:
At Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. We support our efforts with respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. To bring to life our vision of inclusive excellence, we seek to recruit, admit, hire, retain, promote, and support diverse and underrepresented groups of students, staff, and faculty. We value social justice and human rights. We embrace the plurality of humanity that composes our community including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion.
We reject racism of any kind, be it systemic, institutional, or individual. We acknowledge the painful histories related to racism even within the nursing discipline, including education, practice, and research. We pledge to not let an unjust past continue to determine the future. We will enact practices which promote anti-racism and social justice across all entities within VUSN.
We affirm the inherent worth of each individual in order to protect, promote, and optimize the health and abilities of all people. As educators of advanced practice nurses, nurse scholars, nurse leaders, and nurse faculty, we accept the responsibility to foster and graduate highly educated, culturally sensitive health care professionals who provide holistic, culturally appropriate care and mirror the diverse populations they serve.
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