Impact of Aboriginal Studies on Nursing Practice: A Reflective Essay

This reflective essay examines the impact of Aboriginal studies on nursing practices, particularly concerning the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The essay analyzes two articles: one on the impact of forced internal migration on Aboriginal people and another focusing on a critical lens on culture in nursing practice. The author reflects on how these readings have enhanced their understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including mental health issues stemming from displacement and the importance of cultural competence in healthcare. The essay emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to adopt culturally sensitive approaches, promote patient participation in health programs, and adhere to ethical codes to provide equitable care. The author concludes by highlighting the influence of these readings on their nursing practices, vowing to advocate for patient participation, maintain cultural safety, and respect the values and beliefs of Indigenous patients to avoid any form of discrimination.

ABORIGINAL
STUDIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
The content of articles that resonates with me............................................................................1
Reason for selection of the articles.............................................................................................2
Influence of these readings on my nursing practices when caring for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people...................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
The condition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is still miserable even after
implementing numerous laws and regulations. There are some major challenges faced by them in
getting equal opportunities for the educational, health-services, employment etc. (Andersen,
Edwards and Wolfe, 2017). These factors are highly affecting their development and are
essentially required to be resolved for their empowerment. The present reflective piece focuses
on two relevant articles that somewhere resonate with me. Further, the influence that these
readings will help in my nursing practice is explained in this report.
The content of articles that resonates with me.
Articles that are chosen for present report are: "A critical lens on culture in nursing practice" and
"The Impact of Forced Internal Migration on Australian Aboriginal People" by McKendrick and
Thorpe, (2014).
I have observed that there are so many things in the articles that will resonate with my
perceptions for the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people. The impacts that are caused by
the migration from places to places are severe. Further, long-term effects includes the life
expectancy, decrement in quality of life, etc. Thus, in order to evacuate these components, it is
required to take effective measures. In this way, I totally agree with the statements of the article
on "The Impact of Forced Internal Migration on Australian Aboriginal People" . The healing
program introduced in the report is recommendable and will help the indigenous people to a
much greater extent. Such programmes increases the importance of self-care which is helpful in
enhancing the quality of life of Aboriginal people and thus, the life expectancy. I further believe
that it is necessary for the indigenous people to actively participate in these type of programs so
that they can take advantages of these campaigns in their development (Carey and et. al., 2017).
The return to the "home" (country) helps in reducing the mental stress, depression, anxiety, etc.
that occurs due to migration.
Further, health is the most crucial element and its care is highly required for the Torres
Strait Islander and Aboriginal people. The culture of nursing is a vital factor that contributes to
the health and social care of the indigenous people. The second article, "A critical lens on culture
in nursing practice" emphasize on the same thing. Healthcare practices are not enough to render
effective guidance to the aboriginal people. Rather, it is the culture of the practices that is needed
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to be altered to gain effective outcomes. All the factors that influence to render equal and
undiscriminating care should be followed by the staff of the health and social care entities. Also,
there are many barriers that have to be faced such as language gap, educational differences, etc.
and despite these, it is the foremost duty of healthcare staff to maintain a good culture for nursing
practice (Boyle, 2016).
Reason for selection of the articles.
The present articles are selected for the research because of the reason that they both
clearly state the past incident that has created the various problems for the people of Torres Strait
Island and Aboriginal group and the care practices essential to improve the health condition. I
have analysed after reading the report on "The impact of forced internal migration on Australian
Aboriginal people" that there are so many critical mental problems such as depression, anxiety,
stress, etc. that are being caused by them because of the forces due to which they have to migrate
to Australia (Gannon, 2017). Further, I have selected this article because it completely explains
the impact of colonization on the mental health of the Aboriginal people. Besides this, the major
rationale for choosing this report is to study the various steps taken by Torres Strait Islander and
Aboriginal people for their mental healing caused due to random migrations such as participation
in healing programmes. Thus it is necessary to resolve the issues of isolation from the place to
deal with the problem of mental illness.
In addition to this, the biggest challenge that is being faced by the indigenous people
includes the health problems that require effective nursing practices. The reason behind selecting
the second article is to gain the understanding of the nursing culture that is required to be
maintained while rendering care to the aboriginals people (Gannon, 2017). The code of ethic that
is explained in the article encompasses all the factors that can impact upon the indigenous
people. The importance given to the personalised care services is a recommendable concept
which should be followed by the relevant healthcare organisations. Further, I believe that the
findings of the report will help me in my nursing practices.
Henceforward, I think that I can make good use of them in my nursing practice while
treating the indigenous people.
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Influence of these readings on my nursing practices when caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.
These reading have had helped me in enhancing the understanding and knowledge of
Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people. I would definitely make use of these articles
whenever I have to give my nursing services to the indigenous people. After going through the
article on "The Impact of Forced Internal Migration on Australian Aboriginal People" I will
encourage people to participate in various health campaigns that are conducted by the related
organizations, government, and local authorities. Besides this, I will advise them to engage
themselves in some productive work that can help them in getting rid of the mental stress,
depressions, and anxiety (Couzos and Thiele, 2016). I will render the best services to the
patients suffering from the problems of migrations.
Besides this, the second article has influenced me to follow the code of ethics while
rendering health-care to the aboriginal people. I will definitely aim at the cultural competence
and cultural safety in performing the practices. I will create a respected relationship with the
patients. In future, if I ever have to deal with the indigenous people then I will ensure to maintain
a proper communication with them without hurting their beliefs (Browne and et. al., 2017).
Also, I will never make any biasing on the base of their race, color, origin, religion, etc. In
addition to this, I will respect their value, beliefs, and culture. I will further maintain respect and
dignity while dealing with indigenous people so that they do not feel any type of discrimination
that can enhance their mental illness. Thus, in this way, the articles have an influence on my
nursing practices when caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
CONCLUSION
From the above research, it has been observed that The people of Torres Strait Islander
and Aboriginal people should have equal opportunities in terms of health care, education,
employment, etc. In this report, two articles are selected for the research and its' influence on the
personal nursing practices are identified.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Andersen, C., Edwards, A., & Wolfe, B. (2017). Finding Space and Place: Using Narrative and
Imagery to Support Successful Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
People in Enabling Programs. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. 46(1).
1-11.
Boyle, P. (2016). Sharlene Leroy-Dyer:'For a people's movement to empower our
community'. Green Left Weekly, (1088), 7.
Browne, J. & et. al., (2017). Food and nutrition programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Australians: an overview of systematic reviews. Australian Health Review.
Carey, T. A. & et. al., (2017). The Australian Psychological Society's Apology to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander People. Australian Psychologist. 52(4). 261-267.
Couzos, S., & Thiele, D. D. (2016). Aboriginal peoples participation in their health care: A
patient right and an obligation for health care providers. Aboriginal and Islander
Health Worker Journal. 40. 6-7.
Gannon, M. (2017). Indigenous taskforce: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the
solutions to close the gap. Australian Medicine. 29(5). 20.
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