Cultural Diversity in Nursing Practice
Cultural Diversity in Nursing Practice This essay explores features of cultural diversity as it is expressed in nursing practice, education, administration and research. Knowledge of cultural diversity is vital at all levels of nursing practice. Ethnocentric approaches to nursing practice are ineffective in meeting health and nursing needs of diverse cultural groups of clients. ... Cultural diversity addresses racial and ethnic differences, however, these concepts or features of the human experience are not synonymous. The changing demographics of the nation as reflected in the 1990 census will increase the cultural diversity of the U. ... Knowledge and skills related to cultural diversity can strengthen and broaden health care delivery systems. ... Cultural groups often utilize traditional health care providers, identified by and respected within the group. Concepts of illness, wellness, and treatment modalities evolve from a cultural perspective or world view. Concepts of illness, health, and wellness are part of the total cultural belief system. ... Nurses need to understand: · how cultural groups understand life processes; · how cultural groups define health and illness; · what cultural groups do to maintain wellness; · what cultural groups believe to be the causes of illness; · how healers cure and care for members of cultural groups; and · how the cultural background of the nurse influences the way in which care is delivered. It is important the nurse consider specific cultural factors impacting on individual clients and recognize that intra cultural variation means that each client must be assessed for individual cultural differences. Nurses bring their personal cultural heritage as well as the cultural and philosophical views of their education into the professional setting. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to understand that nurse-patient encounters include the interaction of three cultural systems: the culture of the nurse, the culture of the client and the culture of the setting. ... Nurses in clinical practice must use their knowledge of cultural diversity to develop and implement culturally sensitive nursing care. ... Recognizing cultural diversity, integrating cultural knowledge, and acting, when possible, in a culturally appropriate manner enables nurses to be more effective in initiating nursing assessments and serving as client advocates. All nursing curricula should include pertinent information about diverse health care beliefs, values, and practices. Such educational programs would demonstrate to nursing students that cultural beliefs and practices are as integral to the nursing process as are physical and psycho-social factors. Nurse administrators need to foster policies and procedures that help ensure access to care that accommodates varying cultural beliefs. Nurse administrators need to be knowledgeable about and sensitive to the cultural diversity among providers and consumers.