'get Me Another Nurse!’: Nurses’ Ideas on Discrimination, Policy and Self-Sufficiency

This qualitative research aims to explore the legal consciousness of nurses from diverse backgrounds concerning potential discriminatory requests by patients seeking treatment from healthcare providers based on their race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. The study employs in-depth interviews to investigate nurses' attitudes when faced with such requests, examining whether distinctions are made between different types of requests, the patient's motivations, and other relevant factors. The role of the positionality of the nurses is also examined, as it is expected this might influence the way nurses identify and categorize these requests.

Further, this study delves into nurses' perspectives on existing policies, or the absence thereof, addressing patient requests for a different healthcare provider on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Through this, we aim to gain insights into how healthcare providers navigate and interpret institutional guidelines and protocols related to such patient demands.

Lastly, the research seeks to uncover healthcare providers' perspectives on the non-applicability of Belgian non-discrimination laws to patient requests for a different healthcare provider. In some countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and the United States non-discrimination law is not applicable in these situations, leaving healthcare providers legally unprotected when confronted with potentially discriminatory requests for a different healthcare provider. By exploring nurses' knowlegde of and viewpoints on legal frameworks, this research contributes to the understanding on how legal consciousness shapes healthcare professionals' attitudes and responses to discrimination-related challenges within the healthcare setting. The findings aim to inform policy discussions and contribute to the development of more effective and equitable healthcare practices.