Racialised experiences of Black and Brown nurses and midwives in UK health education: A qualitative study.

Background Institutional racism within the United Kingdom's (UK) Higher Education (HE) sector, particularly nurse and midwifery education, has lacked empirical research, critical scrutiny, and serious discussion. This paper focuses on the racialised experiences of nurses and midwives during their education in UK universities, including their practice placements. It explores the emotional, physical, and psychological impacts of these experiences. Methods This paper draws on qualitative in-depth interviews with participants from the Nursing Narratives: Racism and the Pandemic project. Of the 45 healthcare workers who participated in the project, 28 participants obtained their primary nursing and midwifery education in UK universities. Interviews with these 28 participants were selected for the analysis reported in this paper. We aimed to employ concepts from Critical Race Theory (CRT) to analyse the interview data in order to deepen our understanding of the racialised experiences of Black and Brown nurses and midwives during their education. Findings The interviews revealed that the healthcare workers' experiences coalesced around three themes: 1) Racism is an ordinary, everyday experience; 2) Racism is operationalised through power structures; and 3) Racism is maintained through denial and silencing. Experiences often touch on a series of issues, but we have highlighted stories within specific themes to elucidate each theme effectively. The findings underscore the importance of understanding racism as a pandemic that we must challenge in response to a post-pandemic society. Conclusion The study concludes that the endemic culture of racism in nurse and midwifery education is a fundamental factor that must be recognised and called out. The study argues that universities and health care trusts need to be accountable for preparing all students to challenge racism and provide equitable learning opportunities that cover the objectives to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements to avoid significant experiences of exclusion and intimidation.

Racialized Experiences of Black and Brown Nurses in UK Education

The study explores the racialised experiences of nurses and midwives during their education in UK universities, revealing a culture of racism embedded in the institutions. The culture has an impact on their journey through universities, placements, and working in the healthcare sector. The research highlights the effects of racism on the mental, emotional, and physical health of the participants and calls for accountability from universities and healthcare trusts to provide equitable learning opportunities and challenge racism.

This research is necessary because it sheds light on the racialised experiences of nurses and midwives in the UK’s Higher Education sector. The study highlights how institutional racism within nursing and midwifery education is a fundamental factor that must be recognised and addressed. The findings underscore the importance of understanding racism as a pandemic and the challenge that we must confront in response to a post-pandemic society.

Key Takeaways:

1. Racism is an ordinary, everyday experience for Black and Brown nurses and midwives in the UK.

2. Institutional power structures perpetuate racism in nursing and midwifery education.

3. Universities and healthcare trusts need to be accountable for preparing all students to challenge racism and provide equitable learning opportunities.