Cultural Competence Assessment

Cultural Competence Assessment

In this paper I will be discussing my inherent weaknesses and strengths in relation to the cultural diversity self-assessment test that I had taken online (http://www.illinoiscte.org/PDF/module/Cultural%20Diversity%20Self%20Assessment.pdfPart 2). According to the test, my final score was a 96 out of 160 total possible points. After reflecting on my answers, I feel that I fall in the middle when it comes to cultural diversity. I am aware that I do have some biases. I sometimes do categorize people or groups of individuals before I actually get to take the time to know them or their respective cultural background. I know that this overall approach is wrong and unfair, but I do feel this is an accurate reflection

of my overall upbringing. Having said that, this is something that I need to work and improve upon. Another weakness I possess is that I do not speak up for others when they are being belittled or humiliated by others. I do not have an excuse for this generalized behavior, other than the fact that I am a timid person and I do not like the idea of confrontation whether it be face to face or something more indirect. As far as strengths regarding my overall personality, I guess I would say that I am aware of my biases and weaknesses and I acknowledge the idea that I have room to improve on these weaknesses. Another strength of mine is that I am receptive to the fact that other cultures have their own beliefs and values and as a health care provider this is something I must respect. As a nurse working with the public, it is my duty to provide the best care possible; and in order to do that I must be completely unbiased to all cultures.
Cultural competence is defined as behavior from a health care provider who is aware of one’s existence, sensations, thoughts, and environment and not allowing these components to have a negative effect on the one they are providing care to (Newman Giger, 2013).

Cultural competence is important in providing care to patients because this allows the nurse to provide nursing interventions that will in turn promote the best health of the patients. Increasing awareness, knowledge, and skills of health care providers or patients and revising practices enhances the accessibility and effectiveness of health care to all cultures (Truong, Paradies, & Priest, 2014). To improve my cultural competency, I will make myself more aware of my surroundings and try to be more sensitive to the clients I am caring for that happen to be from outer lying cultures compared to that of my own. It would be helpful if there were training programs or classes to attend in regards to providing care to the various cultures. Another strategy I believe that would have a positive effect on cultural relations in general is by just being exposed to that scenario on a regular basis. The only way to become better at anything is to work with it on a frequent basis, thus taking a more astute approach. Each culture has their own beliefs and values and we need to be sensitive to them in order to give and receive the care being provided. As health care providers we want the best outcome for our patients and being culturally aware is the first step to receive a positive outcome and compliance from our

patients.