ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the impact of a sustained period of both individual and institutional racism throughout Gemma’s career in nursing. Her narrative highlights the persistence of crude racist stereotypes. She recounts the exhausting toll repeated microaggressions took on her mental health and wellbeing and the ways in which institutions fail to address racism, often protecting the perpetrators and blaming the victim. She argues for the importance of addressing racism in order to respect the nursing code of practice. She describes how speaking out has allowed her to take control of her narrative and support her mental health and well-being in the process.
