Abstract
Bias, prejudice, or discrimination can be found in all areas of life through action and inaction, creating a call to action for systemic change in nursing (Wakefield et al., 2021). Given the need for a reflective nursing workforce to reduce health disparities (Stanford, 2020) and the predicted nursing shortage, identifying strategies to recruit and retain a diverse nursing workforce in healthy work environments (HWE) is key (Rosseter, 2023). This work aims to provide strategies for educators to develop inclusive learning environments to promote workplace diversity and wellbeing.
Intentional application of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) principles can foster belonging and diversity. Educators have a unique opportunity to change the culture of professional growth through inclusive learning environments. Applying IDEA principles to the educational design process supports psychologically safe and inclusive environments that respect, relate to, and reflect learners, particularly those in marginalized groups (Agic et al., 2021; Mabona et al., 2022; Martin, 2022; Shin & Lee, 2024).
The 4th edition of the Nursing Professional Development Scope and Standards of Practice (Harper & Maloney, 2022) serves as a catalyst for educators to demonstrate the competencies found in Standard 9: Respectful and Equitable Practice. The AACN’s Healthy Work Environment standard for authentic leadership further supports IDEA principles in designing and sustaining HWEs (AACN, 2016). A needs assessment revealed a gap in knowledge and skill to effectively apply IDEA principles in learning environments (Cameron et al., 2022). Therefore, resources that support inclusivity were developed to guide those involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational activities.
The resources focus on five categories – audience, environment, tools, relatability, and breaks – including considerations and recommendations to proactively apply the IDEA principles throughout the educational design process. Through awareness and integration of IDEA principles to support a HWE, guided by this tool, educators can increase psychological safety and promote effective learning while encouraging an organizational culture of belonging (Dewsbury & Brame, 2019; Imperial College, 2021). The implications are an empathetic, representative workforce better prepared to care for diverse patient populations and an enhanced commitment to the nursing profession.
Notes
Agic, B., et al. (2021). Health equity and inclusion framework for education and training. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. https://kmb.camh.ca/api/assets/7e4c30f1-9844-429b-afd6-97ab56044c56
Cameron, V., Carraher, J., & Geyer, L. (2022). Social equity: Assessment, processes, and measurable outcomes [Webinar]. ANPD. 2022 ANPD Recorded Webinar: Social Equity: Assessment, Processes, and Measurable Outcomes.
Dewsbury, B., & Brame, C. J. (2019). Inclusive teaching. CBE Life Sciences Education, 18(2), fe2. https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.19-01-0021
Harper, M. & Maloney, P. (Eds). (2022). Nursing professional development scope & standards of practice (4th ed.). Association for Nursing Professional Development.
Imperial College. (2021). What is inclusive learning and teaching and why is it important? Educational Development Unit. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/staff/educational-development/teaching-toolkit/inclusive-learning-and-teaching/what-is-inclusive-learning-and-teaching-and-why-is-it-important/
Mabona, J. F., Van Rooyen D. R. M., & Ten Ham-Baloyi, W. (2022). Best practice recommendations for healthy work environments for nurses: An integrative literature review, Health SA Gesondheid 27(0), a1788. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1788
Martin, M. (2022). Council post: Fostering psychological safety in the workplace. Forbes.
Rosseter, R. (2023) AACN Fact Sheet - Nursing Shortage.
Shin, S. H., & Lee, E.H. (2024). Development and validation of a quality of healthy work environment instrument for shift nurses. BMC Nursing, 12(23:37). https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs12912-023-01672-4
Stanford F. C. (2020). The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Healthcare Workforce. Journal of the National Medical Association, 112(3), 247–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2020.03.014
Wakefield, M. K., Le Menestrel, S., & Flaubert, J. L. (Eds.). (2021). The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine.
Sigma Membership
Phi Epsilon
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Teaching/learning strategies, Workforce, DEI/BIPOC
Recommended Citation
Cameron, Vanessa Kay; Russell, Jillian; Bodine, Jennifer; and Kelter, Rachel, "Guiding Inclusive Learning: Using IDEAs to Transform Workplace Diversity and Well-Being" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 21.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/21
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Guiding Inclusive Learning: Using IDEAs to Transform Workplace Diversity and Well-Being
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Bias, prejudice, or discrimination can be found in all areas of life through action and inaction, creating a call to action for systemic change in nursing (Wakefield et al., 2021). Given the need for a reflective nursing workforce to reduce health disparities (Stanford, 2020) and the predicted nursing shortage, identifying strategies to recruit and retain a diverse nursing workforce in healthy work environments (HWE) is key (Rosseter, 2023). This work aims to provide strategies for educators to develop inclusive learning environments to promote workplace diversity and wellbeing.
Intentional application of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) principles can foster belonging and diversity. Educators have a unique opportunity to change the culture of professional growth through inclusive learning environments. Applying IDEA principles to the educational design process supports psychologically safe and inclusive environments that respect, relate to, and reflect learners, particularly those in marginalized groups (Agic et al., 2021; Mabona et al., 2022; Martin, 2022; Shin & Lee, 2024).
The 4th edition of the Nursing Professional Development Scope and Standards of Practice (Harper & Maloney, 2022) serves as a catalyst for educators to demonstrate the competencies found in Standard 9: Respectful and Equitable Practice. The AACN’s Healthy Work Environment standard for authentic leadership further supports IDEA principles in designing and sustaining HWEs (AACN, 2016). A needs assessment revealed a gap in knowledge and skill to effectively apply IDEA principles in learning environments (Cameron et al., 2022). Therefore, resources that support inclusivity were developed to guide those involved in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational activities.
The resources focus on five categories – audience, environment, tools, relatability, and breaks – including considerations and recommendations to proactively apply the IDEA principles throughout the educational design process. Through awareness and integration of IDEA principles to support a HWE, guided by this tool, educators can increase psychological safety and promote effective learning while encouraging an organizational culture of belonging (Dewsbury & Brame, 2019; Imperial College, 2021). The implications are an empathetic, representative workforce better prepared to care for diverse patient populations and an enhanced commitment to the nursing profession.
Description
Bias and systemic injustice in nursing negatively impact the nursing profession and patient outcomes. Intentional application of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) principles can be used to support belonging and develop a representative nursing workforce. This session will encourage you to find opportunities for IDEAs to be applied within your professional practice to support a healthy working environment for all healthcare professionals.