As was reported in January 2025, nurses have been rated as highly honest and ethical by 75% of respondents. This is among 23 professions rated. It is the 23rd consecutive year nurses have been rated as the most honest and ethical profession. This places a moral and professional responsibility for nurses to help people achieve equity and eliminate disparities in health care. The public trusts nurses to help them heal and be as healthy as possible. The problem lies in a lack of training and education for nurses in ways to achieve these goals. This presentation aims to provide a foundational understanding and practical resources to empower nurses in reducing disparities and advancing equity in health care for their patients.  

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:   

• Define the core concepts of health equity, health disparities, and social determinants of health 
• Differentiate between implicit bias and stereotype assumptions, and analyze how the differences in patients' backgrounds influence these biases 
• Apply effective patient education strategies to improve patient self-management and overall health outcomes 
• Examine various models for healthcare organizations to effectively collaborate with external partners to improve access to health care resources 
• Formulate a plan to advocate for change in legislation and policy that improves access to and equity in health care.   

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2