AMSN Member Spotlight: Black History Month Edition

The AMSN DEI Committee is delighted to spotlight several members throughout the year in celebration of recognition months. For Black History Month, Angela M. Simmons, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army, chair of AMSN’s DEI Committee, discusses the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the nursing profession and beyond. Learn about Dr. Simmons’ journey to the AMSN DEI Committee, its role in shaping AMSN’s future, and more.

What does DEI mean to you, and why did you choose to serve as the AMSN DEI Committee Chair? 

Diversity means including others from different ethnicities, races, gender identities, religions, backgrounds, and perspectives to maximize personal and professional growth and achievements. Some think diversity is just a black-and-white issue, but it is not. It extends well beyond race, and a diverse organization is so much greater than one that is homogenous. Diversity of thought, for example, allows an organization to make decisions based on different perspectives, which creates a more inclusive and inviting organization for members.

Equity recognizes people's unique strengths, abilities, barriers, and challenges. It means treating people with respect and dignity and providing them with the opportunity to succeed by personalizing resources to meet each individual's needs. An example of this is food. Our patients all need nutrition to heal. Equality means giving all of them standard meals. Equity means giving them access to meals specific to their personal customs and practices.

Inclusion is making space at the table and intentionally inviting others to join you at that table. It creates a sense of belonging, where people from different perspectives, backgrounds, communities, and needs are involved at all levels of an organization.

I chose to serve as the AMSN DEI Committee Chair because I live DEI and want to help the organization and its members further their efforts to be conscious of and involved in meeting the needs of all.

How have you advocated for DEI-related initiatives or projects in a professional or personal capacity? 

I have always been an advocate for DEI initiatives. One of the things I noticed from my childhood experiences through my military service was my own discomfort with being the only person of color or only female in a room full of people. This has always made me uncomfortable because I felt like no one shared my experiences, nor could they empathize with my feelings.

So, as I was promoted, I tried to ensure I mentored nurses — not only those who were persons of color but also those who sought to be inclusive leaders. I encouraged people to be their authentic selves and thrive despite the challenges before them. I have been an active member of professional organizations that prioritize diversity. In one of my assignments, I led a DEI committee where we served to create safe places where everyone could come together and have honest dialogue.

Finally, as a leader, I did not shy away from ensuring people in the organization understood that I recognized them at moments like the killings of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. Assisting them in finding ways to express themselves meaningfully was one of my goals, and — hopefully — this was attained.

Why is DEI critical in the nursing profession?  

DEI is critical in the nursing profession because we, as a profession, should always be a representation of the people we serve. Representation on the team provides more beautiful minds that may relate to our patients and allow us to understand their needs better and nurse them back to their optimum health and wellness.  

What inspired you to volunteer on the AMSN DEI Committee, and what does being part of this team mean to you?

I was inspired to volunteer on the AMSN DEI Committee by a previous leader who approached me after I participated in a webinar with a colleague on diversity in leadership. I was thrilled that AMSN had a platform for DEI and created an environment of curiosity for its members. I was interested in ensuring all members had access to tools to succeed, both as nurses and as good people. From that moment, I was hooked.

What do you see as the most important role of the DEI Committee in shaping AMSN’s future? 

I see the DEI Committee as the thermometer monitoring AMSN's ability to provide experiences and resources for all members. Often, in organizations of its size, the leaders need to function in a role that prevents them from always having an eye on things at the grassroots level. Our committee works by looking down into and across the organization with a specific lens for DEI. If there is an issue, the committee works to create a solution and bring it up to the leaders to prevent excluding perspectives. Based on feedback from members during events like the AMSN Annual Convention, the DEI Committee works to provide training and educational offerings to educate others.

What are some of the challenges AMSN faces in its DEI efforts, and how is the committee addressing them? 

One of the biggest challenges is surviving in the current political climate where current Executive Orders roll back DEI initiatives. However, it is still a priority for the members we serve. Along with this challenge is creating or maintaining a safe environment where people are not afraid to be themselves. By having a committee, we will continue to be dedicated to lifting the voices of minoritized populations and ensuring everyone has access to education and professional conferences to grow and learn how to provide the best care to everyone.

How do you envision AMSN’s DEI initiatives influencing the broader nursing profession? 

AMSN’s DEI initiatives influence the broader community of nursing professionals by providing educational offerings that can be adopted in healthcare settings. Trainings such as the DEI modules can help leaders recognize differences and how they impact the people who work for them and, in turn, the patients.

What would success look like for the DEI Committee, and how do you see your role in achieving that vision? 

Success for the DEI Committee looks like increased involvement in DEI offerings and the annual convention. I see my role as a voice ensuring we do not overlook any of our members, and when we have large offerings, the topics are diverse enough to reach a broader audience.

How can AMSN members and the public best support the work of the DEI Committee? 

Support for our committee comes by taking the training, providing feedback, and committing to providing high-quality, unbiased care to everyone regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender identity, religion, background, and/or abilities. Everyone has a place in this organization, represented by attendance at professional activities such as webinars and the annual convention.

What message would you like to share with AMSN members about the importance of engaging with DEI initiatives? 

Do not be afraid to challenge yourself by participating in the training you see from AMSN. We recently started a monthly DEI Journal Club; please follow AMSN on Facebook and read the articles. When the time comes, provide honest answers to the questions. Share this information with your friends and colleagues so they, too, can learn and provide feedback. Then, answer the call. When we have a call for new members next fall, join this committee and set out to make a difference.

What advice would you give to other professional associations looking to strengthen their DEI efforts? 

Do not be afraid to get started. Members need to know that you care and seek ways to engage a broader audience. They also need to see that you intentionally look for opportunities to improve relationships and care for all.