Nursing Reflective Essay on Indigenous Health Issues

This nursing reflective essay discusses the issues affecting the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, the beliefs and values of the author, and how as a nurse, they can help in improving the health of these communities.

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NURSING REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Course Name
Date

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Introduction
Indigenous people worldwide share experiences of colonization and imperialism that are
common. These experiences have led to far-reaching problems which include rapid
urbanization,economic and social problems. When cities are expanded to the suburb areas
occupied by low-income people their quality of life becomes extremely low. They struggle to
satisfy their basic rights like access to good health care, clean water, and education. To the
indigenous Australians, it led to the theft of land, sovereignty, health, and wellbeing(Aguiar and
Halseth, 2015). Separating people from their environment can be linked to serious health
problems that occur to them as they change from used lifestyle to modern living. The British
imperialism confiscated the land of the Aboriginal people to expand their territory. The
aboriginals had a deep connection with their land which dated back to immemorial. There were
no treaties signed(Niezen, 2016). Lack of appreciation of aboriginal land ownership by the
western legal system led to continued dispossession of their land in their own country(Li,
2017).Traditionally, people are connected to their country through physical, landscape and
spiritual elements. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders health problems are as a result of
continued marginalization, injustices, racism, poverty and social exclusion(Spence, et al, 2016)
(Tesfaghiorghis, 2018). Their perspectives and insights of what will help improve their health
outcomes of the communities are silenced(Kelaher, 2014). Hence it is critical that their
knowledge as indigenous people be incorporated in their macro and micro health agenda to
improve their health as indigenous people(MacKinnon, 2014). In the essay, I will discuss on the
various issues affecting the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, my beliefs and values and
how as a nurse I can close the gap and help in improving the health of these communities(Reath
and O'Mara, 2018).

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Description
I have always believed that all bad things about the Aboriginals happened in the past and I was a
nurse had nothing to do with it. My classmates had also told me earlier that Aboriginals are only
good at arts and sports and dark-skinned. I had also heard that most of Aboriginals drink alcohol
and that they are lazy people.During the introduction of our lecture summary on
decolonization of institutionalism and white privileges, I learned that colonization and
imperialism have been a major factor for the problems the indigenous people face up to
today. Since the invasion, their land was grabbed from them and they were not recognized
as the original inhabitants of the country. Aboriginals had a deep connection with their
land and had cultural values which had been passed down to them from generation to
generation. Racism, colour, and prejudices made Aboriginals get discriminated and less
privileged against other non-originals. These problems have led to health problems of the
wellbeing of the indigenous people. I also participated in yarning circle activities. The
activities were playing game cards and watching the barbekueria video. Since I had never
participated in the card game before, I observed as others in the group played. It was
played in pairs while we cheered and took sides. It had rules and objectives. The objective
is that one must be the first player to get rid of the cards. Players play as fast as possible
and do not take turns. Players cannot have no more than five piles and only one card to be

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played at a time into the middle. When a player has fifteen or less cards the five piles are
created until the cards run out. This means no spit pile and only one middle pile. Once the
player goes out by playing all the cards the middle pile goes to the loosing player if the
winner has no cards left. The barbekueria video consists of mixed races actors. In the video
we have the blacks with power and are forcing the whites out of their reserves to
government settlements and missions. The white race in this case is inferior. The
government is also separating the children from their families. We also have the white
people being regarded as people of violence. When they tried to have demonstrations the
police used full force to disperse them. The government also said that it had tried to help
them but they seemed not ready to be helped.
Feelings
In the beginning, I felt confused about the whole thing concerning the Aboriginals and Torres
Strait Islanders. I had thoughts that these people had created a wider rift to their own problems.
But with the commencing of the lecture, I was anxious to learn more about the indigenous
people and have a wider understanding concerning the views of the people towards them.
This also reminded me of the earlier observation of the yarning cycle. Where in the game of
cards there was some disparity by the different players. Some players showed fairness in
the game while others were unfair to the game. I felt overwhelmed by their reactions where
to some extent those who were unfairly treated tried fighting for their rights. In the video

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watched I felt empathy for the whites being mishandled by the government which in turn
should have helped them. The government was also not in a position to listen to their
grievances and acted in a radical way towards them which is misuse of power.Just like the
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who were fighting for their rights to end
discrimination against them.
Evaluation
The lecture summary was a good eye-opener to me. I was able to learn and refute the myths and
biases I had concerning the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The unfairness elicited by
the game of cards and barbakuaria challenged me. It taught me that inequality and unjust
treatment are detrimental to the people involved or treated unfairly. To the indigenous
people, discrimination has seen them have poor access to health care, unemployment, and
feelings of less privileged. To my experience as a nurse, I would not wish to exploit other people
just because of their skin color. I also realized that when people are treated in an unjust manner
they tend to retaliate.
Analysis
Some of the beliefs I heard from my classmates and those that I had towards the indigenous
people were not true. The allegation that Aboriginals are lazy people is not genuine. Their
unemployment varies from community to community. The unemployment of the two groups is
four times greater(Smith, 2018). This is also contributed by the remoteness of the community.

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This shows low labor market opportunities(Daly, 2018). The high rate of unemployment is also
caused by limited education opportunities in the past and the prejudices of the non- Aboriginal
employers. For the case of alcohol, a large number of Aboriginal people do not drink alcohol at
all while in some communities consumption of alcohol has been banned by its
residents(NewAntonucci, 2018). Aboriginal people are more likely to abstain from alcohol 1.4
times than non- Aboriginals people.
Imperialism and colonization led to the problems faced by the indigenous people. It led to the
theft of their land, sovereignty, health, and wellbeing. Just like in barbekueria video where the
government is forcing the whites out of their reserves and creating major problems to them. This
is an unfair and unjust manner which makes people feel inferior. Alienation from their natural
environment can be closely linked to the health problems that they face(MacKinnon, 2014).
Their wellbeing is connected to their country and their responsibility to it is an issue not
recognized in their health policy practice and provision. Their health is broader than just the
absence of disease since health to them focuses on emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing(Li,
2017).
Racism, color, and prejudice made them be discriminated and less privileged in many
areas(Nielsen,Alice Stuart and Gorman, 2014). They have injured their families, communities
and sovereign rights(Aguiar and Halseth, 2015).
Nurses should demonstrate professional culture competency that promotes the health and
wellbeing of Indigenous people incorporating their social, emotional, physical and spiritual
wellness. They should also use their knowledge and skills to ensure their nursing practice is
safe and effective. They should also collaborate and communicate in a respectful manner to

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different groups. Care of the patients should be person-centered to accommodate each
person’s or group needs (Cummins, et al, 2018).
As a nurse, I realize that it is important that the indigenous people be allowed to equally
participate in their health agenda. All health workers should consider and act upon the
determinations of the Aboriginal people. Nurses should also realize that they are on a
lifelong journeywith cultural obligations and commitment to the communities. Hence
should be committed to excellence, equity and sustainability (Power, et al, 2016).
Conclusion
To improve the health of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people, I have realized
that their knowledge in health research and practice should be incorporated into the
modern medical research models. This is because the modern model is ill-informed about
the experiences, expectations and the concerns of the indigenous people. They are the
experts when it comes to their health and health needs. Their knowledge of traditions and
ecological is important and will be of help in formulating health policy and praxis(Reath
and O'Mara, 2018).
Institutional racism also affects the health of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. This is
because institutions continue to create discrimination, poverty and unemployment rate to
them(Daly, 2018). Their voices are also silenced. Misinterpretations from research, education,
and media stereotypes have been racist towards them(Kelaher, 2014). As nurses, we need to be
culturally safe by being aware of our own worldview in order to stop injuring the

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indigenous people. Nurses can also help by including sessions on cultural needs and
sensitivity to their training courses. They should also offer health scholarships to rural and
remote areas. As nurses they should also be prepared to provide care to the Indigenous
people in a manner that prevents further harm. Nurses should also understand the
importance of working in a health system that is respectful and culturally safe (Panaretto,
et al, 2014).
Action plan
As a nurse I will ensure to work within a professional and ethical nursing framework by
accepting people regardless of their race, religion, culture, gender, age, physical or mental
state. I will also integrate my attitude, knowledge and skills in nursing for safe and effective
care(Kelaher, 2014). I will ensure to differentiate the accountability and responsibility of
RNs, enrolled nurses and unlicensed health care workers.
As a result of these experiences I will work within an evidence-based framework. That is,
identify problems in nursing care that need investigation through research and involve
other colleagues in participation so as to create awareness of research in our field practice
and promote quality improvement (Nielsen, Alice Stuart and Gorman, 2014).
During the yarning circle activities I realized I had leadership skills. I will ensure
professional development for self and others so as to evaluate our own practice in nursing
and review performance. We will share knowledge and experiences related to professional
issues and use reflective practice to seek appropriate support.

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Conclusion
Health department and employers should consider allowing the indigenous people to equitably
participate in their health reforms. The western health model promotes hierarchy, separation and
power struggle that denies social, emotional, spiritual and political forms of health in a
considerable way. All people should be equally treated and differences denied promoting justice
and recognition of indigenous people. They also have the right for self- determination. For
improvement in the health and wellbeing of indigenous people, nurses should undergo the
process of decolonization to recognize and understand their pains, worries, and anguish.
Nurses need also to be receptive and respectful to the voices of the indigenous people.
References
Aguiar, W. and Halseth, R., 2015.Aboriginal peoples and historic trauma: the processes of
intergenerational transmission. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health= Centre de
collaboration nationale de la santé autochtone.
Cummins, A.M., Smith, R., Catling, C., Watts, N., Scarf, V., Fox, D. and Gray, J., 2018.
Midwifery Graduate Attributes: A model for curriculum development and education. Midwifery,
61, pp.66-69.

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Daly, A.E., 2018. The employment of Aboriginal Australians in the labour market. Canberra,
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