Abstract
Introduction: Following social unrest in 2020, nurses at a large health system advocated for structures that celebrate diversity, promote equity, and enhance inclusion. This led to the creation of the Unity in Diversity Nursing Professional Governance Council (UID). After a systemwide assessment of nurse wellbeing, a need to improve the practice environment was identified. This led UID to create the Unity in Kindness Day (UKD) event. Since 2022, UID has hosted UKD; a multi-campus and online event aimed at fostering a healthier work environment through promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). UKD, hosted by nurses, invites all staff members to participate in activities to improve workplace wellbeing, increase interprofessional collaboration, promote community partnerships, enhance morale, decrease compassion fatigue, and increase job satisfaction.
Methods: The setting was three acute care hospitals, the school of nursing, and over 300 ambulatory sites. Interventions included pet, music, art, and integrative therapy, EDI education, wellness support, community service, and advocacy initiatives. The UID collaborated with marketing, Office of Health EDI, Chief Nursing Officers, and executives. The UID selects a theme each year to showcase the organization's pivotal role in elevating mental health and resilience, advocating for environmental justice, and promoting healthcare equity.
Results: Since its inception, UKD has had 2,400 attendees. Thematic analysis of 2,000 post-survey comments revealed pet, art, and music therapies were the most impactful wellness interventions. Approximately 95% of attendees rated the event as “excellent” and met the objectives of increasing awareness about EDI, improving job satisfaction, and morale. About 65% of staff reported interest in learning about EDI principles. As a result, UID created a quarterly newsletter to support ongoing staff engagement.
Justice and equity in healthcare was supported by collaboration with 49 community partners that aligned with each UKD theme. Community engagement and advocacy was demonstrated by staff raising $304, donating an estimated 400 lbs. of food to the local food bank, collecting 255 lbs. of clothes for families in need, and completing over 200 American Nurses Association Racism in Nursing surveys. Certificates of Recognition for UKD were awarded by the Senate, Legislative Assembly, and City Council offices. Strategies for UKD serve as a model for building a healthy work environment.
Notes
References: Almeida, D., Figueiredo, A. R., & Lucas, P. (2024). Nurses' Well-Being at Work in a Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(2), 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020173
Browne, C., & Chun Tie, Y. (2024). Promoting Well-being: A Scoping Review of Strategies Implemented During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Enhance the Well-being of the Nursing Workforce. International journal of nursing studies advances, 6, 100177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2024.100177
Galuska, L. A., & Bursch, B. (2020). Meaning, Joy, and Critical Care Nurse Well-Being: A Call to Action. Critical care nursing clinics of North America, 32(3), 349–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnc.2020.04.002
Galuska, L., Phillips, J. M., Anderson, K., Meyer, A. L., Lor, K., Mahnovski, S., & Miller, P. S. (2024). Evaluating and Enhancing Nursing Caregiver Well-being Using a Systematic Approach. The Journal of nursing administration, 54(2), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001388
Mabona, J. F., van Rooyen, D., & Ten Ham-Baloyi, W. (2022). Best practice recommendations for healthy work environments for nurses: An integrative literature review. Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 27, 1788. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1788
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
DEI/BIPOC, Workforce, Interprofessional/interdisciplinary
Recommended Citation
Cartwright, Adisa; Santizo, Michelle; Maldonado, Dahlia; and Obazee, Kelli, "Unity and Kindness Day: A Transformative Event to Promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 22.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/22
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
Unity and Kindness Day: A Transformative Event to Promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Introduction: Following social unrest in 2020, nurses at a large health system advocated for structures that celebrate diversity, promote equity, and enhance inclusion. This led to the creation of the Unity in Diversity Nursing Professional Governance Council (UID). After a systemwide assessment of nurse wellbeing, a need to improve the practice environment was identified. This led UID to create the Unity in Kindness Day (UKD) event. Since 2022, UID has hosted UKD; a multi-campus and online event aimed at fostering a healthier work environment through promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). UKD, hosted by nurses, invites all staff members to participate in activities to improve workplace wellbeing, increase interprofessional collaboration, promote community partnerships, enhance morale, decrease compassion fatigue, and increase job satisfaction.
Methods: The setting was three acute care hospitals, the school of nursing, and over 300 ambulatory sites. Interventions included pet, music, art, and integrative therapy, EDI education, wellness support, community service, and advocacy initiatives. The UID collaborated with marketing, Office of Health EDI, Chief Nursing Officers, and executives. The UID selects a theme each year to showcase the organization's pivotal role in elevating mental health and resilience, advocating for environmental justice, and promoting healthcare equity.
Results: Since its inception, UKD has had 2,400 attendees. Thematic analysis of 2,000 post-survey comments revealed pet, art, and music therapies were the most impactful wellness interventions. Approximately 95% of attendees rated the event as “excellent” and met the objectives of increasing awareness about EDI, improving job satisfaction, and morale. About 65% of staff reported interest in learning about EDI principles. As a result, UID created a quarterly newsletter to support ongoing staff engagement.
Justice and equity in healthcare was supported by collaboration with 49 community partners that aligned with each UKD theme. Community engagement and advocacy was demonstrated by staff raising $304, donating an estimated 400 lbs. of food to the local food bank, collecting 255 lbs. of clothes for families in need, and completing over 200 American Nurses Association Racism in Nursing surveys. Certificates of Recognition for UKD were awarded by the Senate, Legislative Assembly, and City Council offices. Strategies for UKD serve as a model for building a healthy work environment.
Description
Implementing a Unity and Kindness Day event can lead to transformative change by embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into the core values and practices of an organization. Learn how to create a healthy work environment rooted in EDI that can improve engagement, increase resiliency, and promote well-being. Hear practical strategies from a large health system to enhance interpersonal relationships, build community partnerships, and reduce burnout in inpatient and ambulatory settings.