Empowerment in Diversity: The Role of Intersectionality in Nursing Practice

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, one concept stands out as both a lens and a lever for change: intersectionality. It’s not just a buzzword - it’s a framework that empowers nurses to deliver care that’s fair, responsive, and deeply human.

I recently had the privilege of presenting on this topic at a Black History Month event, where I explored how intersectionality strengthens nursing practice and improves patient outcomes. Here’s a glimpse into that conversation and why it matters more than ever.

What Is Intersectionality and Why Does It Matter?

Intersectionality. Big word, right? But it’s actually about YOU and Me - our identities, our experiences, our beliefs and how they shape the way we see the world.

Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality is the recognition that individuals hold multiple, overlapping identities such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and health conditions that shape their experiences of privilege and discrimination. In nursing, this lens allows us to move beyond labels like “diabetic” or “elderly” and see the full human story behind each patient.

Intersectionality isn’t just theory - it’s a tool for empathy, equity, and excellence. It helps nurses understand the complex realities patients face, especially those from marginalized communities, and empowers us to deliver care that is truly person-centred.

Health Inequalities & Health Disparities

• Health inequalities are differences in health outcomes that stem from unequal access to resources.

• Health disparities are avoidable gaps that disproportionately affect marginalized groups due to systemic barriers.

These aren’t just statistics, they’re lived realities. And they demand action, not just empathy.

My Identity, My Power

As a Clinical Research Nurse, Filipino leader, student, EDI advocate, and someone living with multiple long-term conditions, I carry a rich tapestry of identities. Each thread, whether cultural, professional, or personal, deepens my compassion and sharpens my clinical insight.

Being both a nurse and a patient gives me a rare dual perspective. I understand treatment fatigue, emotional strain, and the frustration of navigating complex systems. These lessons fuel my practice. They help me anticipate patient needs, design practical care plans, and offer empathy that’s rooted in lived experience.

Data That Demands Action

The NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and the Social Care WRES reveal persistent disparities in recruitment, progression, and workplace experience for ethnic minority staff. These aren’t just numbers, they’re calls to action. They remind us that equity must be embedded in every level of healthcare, from policy to practice.

How Diversity Improves Care

When nursing teams are not diverse, they can struggle with things like:

• Understanding different cultures: Not everyone describes pain or illness the same way. For example, in some cultures, people might not talk openly about mental health, which can lead to misunderstandings.

• Building trust: Patients are more likely to trust someone who understands their background or speaks their language.

• Giving the right kind of care: If a nurse doesn’t understand a patient’s culture or beliefs, they might give advice that doesn’t fit that person’s life.

Strategies for Intersectional Nursing Practice

Empowerment begins with action. Here’s how we can lead change:

1. Individual Level – Starts with you. Nurses and healthcare professionals reflect on their own identity and biases to better understand others.

2. Team Level – Focuses on group dynamics. Teams build safe, respectful spaces where everyone’s voice matters.

3. Organisational Level – Looks at hospital systems. Leaders create fair policies and pathways for diverse staff.

4. System Level – Zooms out to national change. Nurses and healthcare professionals help shape laws, standards, and research that impact everyone.

The Power of Networks and Community

Diaspora and professional networks like PNAUK, Elevate Nurses Network, and the RCN Eastern EDI Network are more than support systems, they’re strategic partners.

When nurses connect through networks, they become stronger leaders, better caregivers, and powerful voices for change. 

It’s not just about who you know - it’s about what you build together.

Moving Forward: A Three-Pillar Framework

Let’s talk about how we make real change. Not just good intentions, but actual action.

Right now, some people think EDI is just about being nice or fair. But it’s way more than that. It needs to be treated as a core strategy. Because it’s about building a healthcare system that actually works for everyone.

Inspired by the NHS Race & Health Observatory Fair Futures Roadshow, I propose:

• Accountability: Executive ownership, transparent reporting, and celebration of progress. Track diversity like tracking patient safety - because both matter.

• Capability: Investment in diverse talent and leadership development. Create career paths that reward cultural awareness, not just clinical skills.

• Community: Genuine engagement with staff networks and patient advisory groups. Build care models that reflect what real people need in their communities.

  
  

Our Collective Responsibility

Every nurse, student, and healthcare leader has a role to play:

• Embrace your intersectional identity.

• Speak up for inclusive care.

• Lift others up and keep learning

• Drive systemic change with courage and clarity.

  
  

Final Thought

Intersectionality isn’t just a concept - it’s a movement. It’s the heartbeat of equitable care and the foundation of empowered nursing. When we honour our diverse identities and advocate for others, we don’t just change practice - we change lives.

Let’s lead with empathy. Let’s act with purpose. Let’s build a healthcare system where every identity is seen, valued, and empowered.