As nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners, we are called to demonstrate inclusion, engage in cultural humility, support health equity, and serve as allies to marginalized groups. This professional responsibility aligns with the Nursing Professional Development Scope and Standards of Practice, Standard 9: Respectful and Equitable Practice (Harper & Maloney, 2022).

Literature has shown that LGBTQ+ individuals are less likely to access healthcare services, often face denial of care, bias, and discriminatory attitudes, leading to healthcare disparities (Damery et al., 2025; Murray et al., 20205).  As a result, the LGBTQ+ population has a greater likelihood of poor mental and physical health outcomes.

We have a responsibility to assist in addressing the identified learning needs of team members’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to LGBTQ+ care. Providing education for healthcare professionals ensures they have the knowledge to provide culturally sensitive care and help to reduce stigma and discrimination.

For NPD practitioners to address this gap, we must exemplify the competencies outlined in Standard 13: Education. This includes reflection to identify personal learning needs, ensuring the ability to support learner diversity, and participating in ongoing professional development (Harper & Maloney, 2022). Demonstration of these competencies supports the NPD practitioner’s ability to provide inclusive education and prevent inadvertently stereotyping or stigmatizing those identifying as LGBTQ+.

The ANPD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has developed an extensive resource for NPD practitioners, including strategies to support the learning and inclusion of LGBTQ+ team members. The resources and concepts shared can be applied to curriculum development, staff education, competency validation, and fostering psychologically safe learning and work environments. They also support NPD practitioners in advancing cultural humility, promoting inclusive language, and ensuring that educational programs and practice initiatives address the unique health needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ patients and colleagues.

This month, the NPD in Motion team challenges you to take a moment to reflect on your practice as it relates to the LGBTQ+ population. Based on your reflection, explore at least one resource included on ANPD’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page to demonstrate your commitment to improving your personal practice and the care provided to LGBTQ+ patients and families.

References

• Association for Nursing Professional Development. (n.d.). Diversity, equity, and inclusion. https://www.anpd.org/Resources/Diversity-Equity-and-Inclusion
• Damery, S., Sekoni, A. O., Retzer, A., Okafor, I., Manga-Atangana, B., Posaner, R., Gale, N. K., & Jolly, K. (2025). Impact of education and training on LGBT-specific health issues for healthcare students and professionals: a systematic review of comparative studies. BMJ open, 15(1), e090005. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090005
• Harper, M. & Maloney, P. (Eds.). (2022). Nursing professional development: Scope and standards of practice, 4th Ed. Association for Nursing ​Professional Development.
• Murray, S.B., Kanter, C., O’Brien, A., Clark, K.D. (2025). Faculty Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Populations in Health Curriculum. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 20(2), e395-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2024.11.033