Knowledge for practice: challenges in culturally safe nursing practice

Abstract

Aboriginal people currently remain the most vulnerable and sickest population within Australian society and therefore are frequent users of the Australian health system. In this paper I will discuss the importance of the role of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal nurses in diminishing the negative ramifications of perceived racism that can be felt by patients. This exemplar will explore an example of perceived racism through the eyes of an Aboriginal nurse. Intrinsic to this exemplar is the role Aboriginal nurses can play as experienced, culturally safe clinicians and educators to their peers; and facilitators of the patient's ability to adequately access and consent to care.