Culture diversity is extremely important in nursing as it identifies and appreciates the differences among individuals. Healthcare professionals should strive for cultural competence or the ability to intuitively deliver care that meets the cultural needs of a specific patient population (DeNisco & Barker, 2016, p. 554). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the how cultural awareness and communication are key components in providing meaningful, effective healthcare in a designate demographic. I selected the rural Native Veteran population because as a Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA) employee I have witnessed first-hand how Veterans are a forgotten culture within healthcare. I have also noticed how subgroups such as Native Veterans …show more content…
Traditional healing is characterized as therapeutic practices that integrate a holistic approach including mind, body, and spirit in the curative process (Noe, Brooks, Bair, Kaufman, and Daily, & Shore, 2011, p.143). The article reviewed five studies that surveyed the utilization of traditional healing with one concentrated primarily on Native Veterans. The studies’ results are indefinite as utilization rates ranged from 8.4 percent to 70 percent depending on location, population, and diagnosis (Noe, Brooks, Bair, Kaufman, Daily, & Shore, 2011, p.143). “The study focusing solely on American Indians and Alaskan Natives revealed that traditional healing practice differentially based on availability, religious and spiritual preference, age, education, geography, and diagnosis” (Noe, Brooks, Bair, Kaufman, Daily & Shore, 2011, p.143). Although research in this area is lacking, a recent study reveals that most Native veterans are generally satisfied with the quality of care received by the VHA and HIS facilities most agreed that neither organization was fully culturally
When comparing the healing philosophy that underpins healing practices of the indigenous tribes it’s evident that all cultures share similar beliefs.
Cobb, Torry Grantham, DHSc, MPH,M.H.S., P.A.-C. (2010). STRATEGIES FOR PROVIDING CULTURAL COMPETENT HEALTH CARE FOR HMONG AMERICANS. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 17(3), 79-83. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp-01.lirn.net/docview/750318474?accountid=158556
The term culture is defined as “the thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups” (Potter & Perry, 2013). With the increase of culturally diverse populations in the United States, it is important for nurses to practice cultural competence. Cultural competence is the ability to acquire specific behaviors, skills, attitudes, and policies in a system that permits “effective work in a cross-cultural setting” (OMH, 2013). Being culturally competent is essential because nurses who acknowledges and respects a patient’s health beliefs and practices are more likely to have positive health outcomes (OMH, 2012). Every culture has certain views and attitudes concerning health. The Jewish (also referred to as Jews), in particular, have intriguing health practices and beliefs that health care providers need to be aware of.
Cultural Competence is important for many reasons. First, it can help develop culturally sensitive practices which can in turn help reduce barriers that affect treatment in health care settings. Second, it can help build understanding, which is critical in competence, in order wards knowing whom the person recognizes as a health care professional and whom they views as traditional healer, can aid the development of trust and improve the individual’s investment and participation in treatment. Third, our population in the United States is not only growing quickly but also changing, cultural competence will allow us as educators and healthcare workers keep up wi...
Cultural competence is a skill essential to acquire for healthcare providers, especially nurses. Cooperating effectively and understanding individuals with different backgrounds and traditions enhances the quality of health care provided by hospitals and other medical facilities. One of the many cultures that nurses and other health care providers encounter is the American Indian or Native American culture. There are hundreds of different American Indian Tribes, but their beliefs and values only differ slightly. The culture itself embodies nature. To American Indians, “The Earth is considered to be a living organism- the body of a higher individual, with a will and desire to be well. The Earth is periodically healthy and less healthy, just as human beings are” (Spector, 2009, p. 208). This is why their way of healing and symbolic items are holistic and from nature.
America is becoming more and more diverse, and Mansfield, Ohio is no exception. Although, only 1.8% of Mansfield’s population is Asian, the Asian American population is growing faster than any other cultural group. It is predicted by 2030, the Asian population will reach 20 million with the Chinese community growing the most. ( ) Personally, I have always admired the loyalty and respect the Chinese populace has toward their aged. This admiration has driven me to learn more, not only to prepare to work together, but to also assure I can lead others to provide culturally sensitive care to this growing community. As a nurse, I have always acknowledged individualism, but attaining “cultural competence is an aspect of nursing that will move the profession to its next developmental phase”. ( DeNisco,Susan and Barker Anne Chap 22, p 486 Advanced Practical Nursing)
Transcultural nursing requires us to care for our patients by providing culturally sensitive care to a broad spectrum of patients. The purpose of this post is to describe cultural baggage, ethnocentrism, cultural imposition, prejudice, discrimination, and cultural congruence. I will also give an example of each term to help you understand the terminology related to nursing care. I will define cultural self-assessment and explain why it is valuable for nurses to understand what their own self-assessment means. Finally, I will describe the five steps to delivering culturally congruent nursing care and how I have applied these concepts to my nursing practice.
In the clinical setting, nurses are believed to spend the most time with patients. This involves regularly dealing with people coming from different ethnicities and with different cultural practices and beliefs (Brown & Edwards, 2012). Given this cultural diversity, every patient may have his/her own cultural beliefs and practices regarding his/her own health and its treatment which can be similar or different to those ...
Miller, Leininger, Leuning, Pacquiao, Andrews, and Ludwig-Beyer, (2008) support that the skill of cultural competency in nursing is the ability to gather relevant cultural data on the presenting problem of the patient. This cultural assessment is defined as a "...
As a nurse strive to provide culturally sensitive care, they must recognize how their client's and their perceptions are similiar as well as different. Nurse enhance their ability to provide client-centered care by reflecting on how their beliefs and values impact the nurse-patient relationship. To provide appropriate patient care, the nurse must understand her/his culture and that of the nurse profession. Cultural biases can be particularly difficult to identify when the nurse and client are of a similar cultural backgroup. When we recognize and know a culture, we will know what is right for our patient, and thus may impose our own values on the client by assuming our values are their values. Recognizing differences a present an opportunity not only to know the other, but also to help gain a greater sense of self. In this paper, I will explain more about diversity and cultural competence in case study.
What is culture and what does it mean to be culturally competent? How does being culturally aware apply to nursing? How can I become a nurse who is culturally sensitive to work with patients who expect care that fits their cultural needs? As you begin your general practice as a nurse, these are all questions you may ask yourself and they are indeed questions that should concern you. After all, culturally adequate care is fundamental to incorporate into your practice.
Cultural beliefs will often be compromised within our health care career. Often times, placing our own thoughts, values, and personal beliefs aside in order to give our patients quality care. Egocentrism is hard to withhold when working with a large variety of our population. Utilizing SBAR during a situation that goes against personal beliefs and values will redirect the focus back on the patient’s condition. When a patient enters the medical facility they’re in this facility to get better and nurses need to provide them a welcoming space to heal. Often nurses will be the first interaction a patient has. This means we need to find a way to calm the patient’s emotions about their stressing ailments without our own emotions leeching into the
Characteristics can be as diverse as ethnic background, language spoken, gender status, physical appearance, race, and religion to name a few. Migration from various countries is creating a diverse population with different cultures and languages within the United States. Due to these cultural differences and lack of knowledge, disparities are increasing. Studies have shown that both language barriers and lack of cultural customs can hinder the services provided to the patient by the healthcare worker (Renzaho, Romios, Crock, & Sonderlund, 2013). This study provided a positive outcome when communication and cultural mutual understanding took place and patients had a more positive health outcome. It is very important that nurses are diversified in various cultures in order to better care for our patients. According to Mareno and Hart (2014), cultural competency has become one of the core values being taught in nursing programs. Their study showed that the perceived level of cultural awareness and skills among the nurses provided was low. Awareness and knowledge levels increased with higher education. It was highly recommended that self-awareness exercises be incorporated into the nursing course and continued to be addressed during the remaining curriculum until
Each day, nurses or other healthcare providers, encounter a wide range of patients that may look, talk, think, or act differently than themselves. This variance is shown by the many diverse backgrounds and cultures that make up the human race. Although the definition of culture cannot be condensed to a single definition, culture can be understood as a complex makeup of each person’s social, personal, and environmental experiences that effect their outlook and produces certain actions (Edberg, 2012). Therefore, this will produce a wide range of patients that will each have a unique view of health and wellness. Not only is it important for healthcare providers to understand diverse cultures and practices so that they may adequately care for patients
As the nurse manager of an oncology unit, I often receive employee complaints. However, a recent confrontation has stuck my attention and after analyzing the situation many cultural conflicts seemed to present themselves. From the information I was given many of these complaints involve one of my nurses, Miryam, a 29-year-old Nigerian Muslim. Miryam is said to be slower than other nurses and takes too much time, as well as foisting her religion on to the patients she works with. From past incidences, Miryam, according to other nurses, shows little interest and doesn’t get involved with outside of work functions, such as the Christmas party or Beach Picnic held in July. Other nurses have also told me that during potlucks Miryam will participate