Culture is one of the organizing concepts upon which nursing is based and defined. As healthcare providers,
nurses must implement their knowledge of cultural, ethnic and social diversity to develop a culturally sensitive
nursing practice. This enables nurses to be more effective in initiating nursing assessments and serving as a
patient advocate.
Background:
Leininger (2014) defines culture as a set of values, beliefs and traditions that are led by a specific group of
people and handed down from generation to generation. Culture is learned, shared, values transmitted, a way of
life, and practices of a particular group that guides day-to-day thinking, decisions and actions.
Technological advances have transformed our social world into what Marshall
McLuhan termed a global village. In other words, we need to think of
the entire world when we talk about our social environment. Computers, satellites, and communication
technology have brought the world closer together and made cross-cultural encounters an everyday occurrence.
Cultural competence is the ability to provide holistically effective care to patients who come from different
cultures. In nursing, there is the requirement to be sensitive with communication, both verbally and non-verbally.
It is an evolving process that depends on self-awareness, knowledge, attitude, and development and application
of skills. Nurses should never make assumptions about their patient's beliefs; for example, stating that all
Jehovah's Witnesses will refuse blood transfusions is a generalization.
Being culturally insensitive can lead to stereotyping, discrimination, racism and prejudice. Some cultures do not
call elders by their first names. Nurses should always ask how the patient wants to be addressed. Some
cultures would not allow a male nurse to examine a female patient so the team should be aware of this cultural
issue. People may have different beliefs about medical care and treatment in the United States, and the nurse
needs to offer respect and gain knowledge of the patient's situation.
In the healthcare systems of today, healthcare providers are diverse. Nurses have much to offer from their own
culture. Culture is universal and dynamic. It is taught to other members of the health care team as a matter of
sharing. Distinctions between culture, ethnicity, race and religion may be confusing. Think of it this way, you are
a member of the subculture of student, you are also a member of an ethnic group, (e.g. Portuguese-American
from the Azores), a racial group (white, African American), and a religion (Roman Catholic, Jewish), each with
its own set of beliefs and values. So, your culture is a blend of all of those characteristics (Treas & Wilkinson,
2014).
Determine the culture you wish to investigate; you can choose your ethnic or cultural background or one other. If
you choose your ethnic or cultural background and you come from a multicultural background, try to choose a
culture whose beliefs vary from traditional American culture.
Use the FSW on-line library to conduct a literature search related to the health beliefs and practices of the
culture you have chosen.
- Using the questions from the Guidelines for Cultural and Social Diversity, and Ethnicity found in the syllabus
tab, formulate an 8-10 page scholarly paper about the culture that a nurse could use as a reference to provide
culturally sensitive care to a member of this ethnic groups. - Discuss how you would implement the use of this reference.