The ANA Equity in Nursing: A Summit for Change took place in Washington, D.C., from February 26–28, bringing together top nursing leaders, researchers, and advocates dedicated to addressing racism and health inequities affecting the nursing profession and the communities nurses serve. The event emphasized the urgency of action and collaboration in driving meaningful transformational change.
The Power of History
Understanding our past helps us navigate the present and shape the future. The ANA Racial Reckoning Statement acknowledges the organization’s historical actions and inactions that contributed to systemic racism in nursing and healthcare. Moving forward requires reconciliation, transparency, and a commitment to rebuilding trust—an essential foundation for coalition-building.
During the summit, attendees viewed Power to Heal, a documentary highlighting the fight to enact Medicaid as a crucial step in the medical civil rights movement. The film underscored how the push for Medicaid also advanced efforts to desegregate hospitals across the U.S. Recognizing the historical context of healthcare disparities is essential to making progress toward equity today.
Lifting Each Other Up
Nursing is not a solitary profession, and lasting change cannot be achieved alone. Progress happens when we support one another. Nurses must actively seek mentorship and guidance while also lifting up colleagues, whether by assisting those new to the profession, supporting peers facing challenges, or fostering an environment of collective growth.
Listening to Patients
True healthcare transformation begins with listening. Nurses must collaborate with the communities they serve, ensuring that patients and community members are engaged as active partners in identifying challenges and co-creating solutions. Meaningful change happens when we center the voices of those most affected by health disparities.
Transformation and Innovation
Change can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for progress. Whether by adopting new perspectives, integrating technology, or redefining professional roles, nurses must be at the forefront of innovation. Using our voices and leadership positions to advance health equity is a responsibility we must embrace. Transformation occurs through education, advocacy, and mobilization, with inclusivity as a guiding principle.
Health Equity Is “Not a Zero-Sum Game”
A recurring theme throughout the summit was the idea that improving health outcomes for one group does not diminish advancements for others. In fact, when health inequities are reduced, overall outcomes improve for all. Advancing equity benefits entire communities, reinforcing the importance of collective progress.
Conclusion
The ANA Equity in Nursing: A Summit for Change served as a powerful reminder that advancing health equity requires both reflection and action. By acknowledging the past, lifting each other up, listening to the communities we serve, and embracing innovation, nurses can drive meaningful and lasting change. This work is not the responsibility of a few but a collective effort that demands collaboration, advocacy, and leadership at every level of the profession.
As nurses, we have the power, and the responsibility to be agents of change. The conversations and commitments made at this summit must translate into action, ensuring that equity remains at the forefront of nursing practice and policy. Progress is possible when we work together, and when health disparities are reduced, we all benefit. Now is the time to turn evidence-based knowledge into momentum and momentum into lasting transformation.
