Think Culturally Assignment: Future Nurse Practitioner

Throughout the Think Culturally assignment, I realized the impact I will have as a healthcare provider. The scenarios that were provided throughout each course assignment gave me insight on the negative health outcomes that can occur when cultural competence is not present. In order to have cultural competence, I must acknowledge that some patient’s health beliefs will be different from my own. This can be distinguished by having open communication and asking pertinent questions. Treating patients that are not proficient in English, can become overwhelming. As a future nurse practitioner, I want to utilize all the necessary recourses to ensure my patient’s fully understand the plan of care and treatment regimen.

The Think Culturally assignment

offered several tips and resources healthcare providers can utilize while interacting with minority patients. I plan on using the LEARN mnemonic within my practice. This stands for listen, explain, acknowledge, recommend and negotiate. As a provider, using this mnemonic will ensure that proper communication occurs throughout the entire visit. I also plan on using a face to face interpreter. I think this is a key resource that must be used while interacting with minority patients that are not proficient in English.

Not only is cultural competence important for providers, but also for all staff members that are interacting with patients. It is imperative they too receive the same education and training. Within my clinic, I would have yearly competency workshops that would be mandatory for all staff members to attend. These workshops would offer the most up to date information on how providers should communicate with ethnic minorities and the most current resources available. These workshops would also include hands on activities and scenarios similar to the ones that were provided in the Think Culturally assignment.