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There is growing evidence that nurses have not seen meaningful change because of their employer's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) programs. At the same time, efforts are increasing to end DEIB programs and education in academic and work settings. These dynamics present a myriad of challenges negatively impacting any efforts to course correct and progress to build a diverse, inclusive, and pluralistic future. It is critical to urgently address these headwinds and challenges since there is evidence that discriminatory and racist acts germinate in schools of nursing. Almost half (44%) of nurses recently surveyed stated that a culture of racism in nursing schools exists; 60% of Black/African American respondents reported racism/discrimination and nearly 80% believed that more DEIB training was needed. The lack of diversity and inclusion in nursing conflicts squarely with an increasingly diverse and globalized health care consumer base. The overall goal of this article is to leverage a well-embraced framework such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to generate more awareness, understanding, and acceptance of DEIB principles, which directionally sets up a positive future for everyone. Equality, diversity, equity, belonging, mattering, and human flourishing set up a more positive outlook for improved nurse and patient outcomes and for health care overall. With the harms that continue in nursing and society overall, comes emotion and discomfort that must be better understood, distributed, and not quelled. Aligning Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and DEIB helps leaders recognize the human's needs in everyone and apply Maslow's theory to all therefore increasing inclusiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nursing profession has been predominantly white and female since the time of Florence Nightingale. The United States 2020 census revealed a changing demographic landscape in which white people are no longer the majority race; this shift will continue well into the future based on who is having babies. Calls to diversify the nursing workforce and address disparities and inequities in health care continue. Nursing faculty who shape curricula are challenged to create a more inclusive framework to teach students about care. Without focused attention on how to prepare future nurses to care for all people, patient safety and quality of care are at stake. This article suggests using critical race theory as a framework to re-educate American nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on research findings based on the positionality within the profession. Topics include labels, stereotypes, prejudices, and biases being hijacking the amygdalas, textbooks, and decision making passing on such insults to future nurses; and making space where dignity, freedom, and human flourishing leading to an enduring peace.

An introduction is presented in which author discusses articles on topics including focuses on algorithms, which are not subjective and statistics that do not capture the effects that marginalization has on groups or even individuals.