Submission ID 130426
| Issue/Objective | Health workforce equity is central to achieving global health equity, yet systemic discrimination within healthcare undermines this goal. In Canada, Muslim nurses who wear the hijab experience Islamophobia in workplace settings, contributing to psychological distress, workplace exclusion, and considerations of leaving the profession. Despite increasing attention to racism in healthcare, Islamophobia remains under-examined. This study explores how Islamophobia shapes the professional experiences of Muslim nurses and examines implications for equitable and inclusive health systems. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Guided by Critical Race Theory, this qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore how participants make sense of their experiences within nursing. Six female Canadian Registered Nurses who wear the hijab participated in semi-structured interviews. The study centred participants as experiential experts and was conducted with attention to ethical and culturally responsive research practices. Data were analyzed to identify shared meanings related to Islamophobia, identity, and belonging within professional contexts. |
| Results | Participants described experiences of Islamophobia closely linked to negative stereotypes of Muslim women, shaping how their competence, professionalism, and legitimacy were perceived by peers, educators, leaders, and patients. These experiences contributed to exclusion, identity conflict, and emotional distress. Participants actively negotiated their professional and religious identities while seeking a sense of belonging within nursing spaces. Some reported withdrawing from opportunities or considering leaving specific roles or the profession altogether, highlighting impacts on workforce retention and sustainability. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Islamophobia within nursing reflects broader systemic inequities that undermine health workforce inclusion and equity. Addressing these challenges requires system-level action, including anti-racism education, policy protections, and leadership accountability. Centering the voices of marginalized healthcare workers is essential to building inclusive, resilient health systems. These findings align with global calls to advance equity by strengthening health workforce environments and ensuring that no providers are excluded from full participation in care systems. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Zahra upal University of Ottawa Jennifer Jackson University of Calgary Zahra upal University of Ottawa |
