Rethinking Nursing Education and Curriculum Using a Racial Equity Lens

Background: Health educators are called on to dismantle health care inequities as they train future health care clinicians to deliver care that promotes equity, improves access to care, and actively addresses antiracism. Method: Through an Advanced Nursing Workforce grant by the Health Resources and Services Administration, a partnership was established with the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement to provide training for health care clinicians and students on ways to SPEAK UP against implicit and explicit bias with an emphasis on maternal health. Results: Dismantling racism is a continuous process. Activities included self-reflection, small group meetings, antiracism and bias training, and community engagement. Conclusion: Acknowledging that racism and health inequities exist and directly contribute to the rise in maternal and infant mortality is only the beginning. Rethinking nursing education, curriculum, and clinical care to train culturally responsive health care clinicians is required to address systemic and structural racism in health care.