Context for Practice: Nurses use their knowledge of the social determinants of health in their nursing practice and recognize that equity-deserving groups in society experience disproportionate inequities. Nurses advocate for social justice and fair, equitable and inclusive care and workplaces. Nurses also advocate for the rights of all people, regardless of status or circumstance, to receive care and to participate in decisions about their care. Nurses respect the human and language rights of all people living in Canada. Nurses in formal and informal leadership roles uphold social justice principles.
| Ethical Responsibilities: Nurses promote social justice principles and consider all factors influencing health and well-being by |
| 5.1.1 |
identifying the social determinants of health in their assessments, diagnoses, outcomes planning, implementations and evaluations with individuals, families and communities, and collaborating with others in and outside of the health sector; |
| 5.1.2 |
recognizing that equity-deserving groups and communities in society are systemically disadvantaged, which may lead to diminished health and well-being and working with them to explore the range of health-care choices available to improve their quality of life; |
| 5.1.3 |
advocating for more comprehensive and equitable mental health and addiction services and supports across age groups, equity-deserving groups, socio-cultural backgrounds, and geographic regions; |
| 5.1.4 |
providing education and working with all people to have meaningful participation in decision-making, while considering their varying abilities/disabilities and their racial, ethnic, linguistic, spiritual and cultural needs; |
| 5.1.5 |
advocating for the right of people to receive English or French language services (FLS), and for all people regardless of language, to have access to a professional translator or interpreter or to a legitimate technology-based translation service where desired; |
| 5.1.6 |
respecting the language rights of French- and English-speaking Canadians in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Official Languages Act and the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to use their language in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and where possible, to receive care or services in their preferred language; |
| 5.1.7 |
supporting clients with various communication needs with appropriate communication methods and tools (e.g., American Sign Language, symbol and letter boards, speech generating devices) where possible; |
| 5.1.8 |
allocating resources under their control based on the needs of clients and advocating for fair treatment and fair distribution of resources; and |
| 5.1.9 |
advocating for and implementing strategies that achieve diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) workplaces. |
In addition, nurses in formal or informal leadership (e.g., administration, clinical care, education, policy and research) roles uphold the principles of social justice by
| 5.1.10 |
appreciating the significance of the social determinants of health while advocating for legislation, policies and procedures, and programs that bring about equity; |
| 5.1.11 |
advocating for publicly funded health systems that ensure accessibility, universality, portability and comprehensiveness in necessary health-care services; |
| 5.1.12 |
advocating for a full continuum of accessible and integrated health and social services at the right time, in the right place, by the right provider; |
| 5.1.13 |
working to address organizational, social, economic and political factors that influence health and well-being within the context of nurses’ roles in the delivery of care; and |
| 5.1.14 |
collaborating with other health-care team members and professional organizations to advocate for changes to unethical health and social policies, legislation and regulations. |