The contribution of the nursing profession to the establishment of social justice: A grounded theory study

Background Social inequities in the healthcare system threaten global health. Efforts to establish equity in healthcare is a key goal of healthcare systems worldwide. Social justice is a basic value of the nursing profession that always merits attention. Objective This study aimed to identify and explain the processes of the nursing profession’s participation in establishing social justice in healthcare system. Research design and methods This qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory method. Participants and research context Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured, individual interviews with 26 participants, 23 of whom were members of the nursing profession. Sampling started purposefully and, then, continued with theoretical sampling. Field notes were also taken for data collection. Data analysis was performed using Corbin and Strauss’ 2015 method. Ethical considerations The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Findings The “Professional Dynamics in the Path of Justice” was the study’s core category. This theory is the result of nine main categories: “inefficient professional authority,” “social justice, a neglected component in education,” “clinical concerns, barriers to nurses’ presence in society,” “individual input reserves to facilitate social justice,” “inadequate maturity of the profession in the path of equity in health,” “promoting justice in clinical practice,” “a tendency to community-oriented profession,” “use of personal approaches for justice promotion,” and “emerging justice-expanding nursing.” These categories cover the underlying factors, strategies, and outcomes of the nursing profession’s participation in establishing social justice process in healthcare. Conclusion The theory of professional dynamics in the path of justice can be used as a practical guide to describe the role of nurses in establishing social justice. Further studies with a quantitative approach to applying this theory are recommended.