Cultural Awareness In Nursing

Definition The understanding of global awareness in the nursing profession prepares nurses to address global issues affecting the quality of health in patients (World Health Organization, 2007). In correlation, cultural awareness in the nursing profession is crucial to understanding a patient’s beliefs, values, thoughts, and behaviors to provide high-quality, effective care. Regardless of geographic location, both global and cultural awareness heightens the education of nurses to deliver culturally competent care to diverse populations (Douglas et al, 2011). Culturally competent care focuses on the patient as a whole and allows the patient to remain as a unique individual (Campinha-Bacote, 2011). The twelve, Standards of Practice for Culturally

Education of other cultures prepares nurses to provide and promote culturally congruent care. Nurses are life-long learners and continuing education is of utmost importance. Continuing education provides opportunities for nurses to gain an understanding of health care practices, cultural beliefs, and values to deliver optimum culturally competent care. Lastly, knowledge and skills are essential for assuring culturally congruent care is being practiced proficiently within the scope of practice (Douglas et al,

Cultural awareness in the nursing profession is crucial to understanding a patient’s beliefs, values, thoughts, and behaviors to provide high-quality, effective care. There are twelve standards of practice, however, the only standards discussed were two, three, six and eight. The standards act as a guide for nurses to provide care, based on culture and global issues. The second standard focuses on critical reflection. Critical reflection is of high importance as it involves the understanding of self-awareness of beliefs, values, and cultural heritage. The third standard focuses on the knowledge of cultures. Knowledge which focuses on nurses gaining an understanding of practices, values, traditions, and family systems of culturally diverse populations to achieve better health outcomes and wellbeing. The sixth standard focuses on patient advocacy and empowerment. Advocating for a patient allows nurses the opportunity to advocate for the patient’s cultural practices and beliefs in all aspects of health care. The last standard discussed was the eighth standard which focuses on education and training in culturally competent care. Education of other cultures prepares nurses to provide and promote culturally congruent care. Having a basic knowledge of different cultures and how global issues affect care, nurses are able to deliver safe