Hlst273 Nursing : Cultural Competence Assessment Answers

Answer:

Culture has been indicated to be a significant factor in determining healthcare preferences guiding care practices. The requirement for upholding transcultural nursing is therefore undeniable. The impact of culture on nursing practice has gained immense attention while care givers strive to use analytic skills for planning, designing and implementing care plans. It is vital for nurses to be culturally knowledgeable, culturally skilful, culturally aware, and seek cultural encounters. Acknowledging the cultural differences between patients who come from diverse backgrounds, and between healthcare professionals is imperative for delivering comprehensive care (Giger 2016). The present paper discusses the impact of culture in nursing practice. The aim is to explore the ideas of culture and professionalism and understand the importance of culturally competent and culturally responsive practice.

Culture is kept alive by communication, through both verbal and nonverbal means. However, most nurse professionals face challenges while engaging in effective communication with the patients. Communication modes tend to show increased variation between cultures. While some patients might be speaking standard English other might not. The language also differs depending upon social class, ethnicity and region. Non-verbal communications play an important role for a certain section of the patient population. For example, some patients would use different non-verbal modes of communication to put forward their concerns. Eye contact is regarded as a sign of honesty and trust, and it is a norm. Emotional expression also varies between cultures. It is important for a nurse to understand these aspects and respect them. Nurse might also find that a certain group of patients have a cooperative attitude and answer all questions raised by nurses. Such patients believe in expressing their concerns and pain as a response is expected early. Effective communication with healthcare professionals from same or different fields allows for discussions that form the basis for the therapeutic plan. Against this backdrop nurses must undergo training for cultural competency and improve own skills for representing the patient and advocating for him, as well as negotiating a plan with other professionals and recommending strategies. Maturity is to be shown by concise and slow speaking, politeness, simplicity and civility (Douglas et al. 2014).

Karatay et al. (2016) highlighted that space is a crucial aspect while dealing with a diverse group of patients. Invasion of personal space is a concern while interacting with patients. Territoriality is the attitude and feeling towards the personal area of an individual. All patients have their own territorial behaviour. Violation of the intimate space of the patient or feelings of territoriality leads to discomfort for a patient and eventual refusal of the patient for receiving treatment. While some populations need personal space, some prefer minimal physical contact with the care giver. Gender, however, plays a role in this respect as women tend to seek care from female professionals and same for men. In such a case a nurse must take the lead given by the patient. This implies that if the patient is not keen on physical contact, such form of contact is to be avoided. The boundaries of coming in contact with the patient are to be respected.

Jeffreys (2015) argue that social organisations of a patient and the value of culture in the individual’s life are to be understood by a nurse. For example, Americans view their family members as providers of care for sick behaviour and administration of medications. Members of the family act as an important part of healthcare planning. It is common for them to get adequate support from family members and discuss important issues with them. Owing to this reason nurse must engage the family members of the patient in the process of outlining care plan for the patient. Shen (2015) in this regard states that a nurse must have high sensitivity towards religious practices and beliefs of the patient and the family members. It is the duty of the nurse to not impose nay personal beliefs on the patient under any circumstances. The nurse must be in quest of knowledge at the fundamental level. Exposure to different cultures is a suitable learning mechanism.

Religious beliefs and dependence on traditional healing systems have come into limelight time and again. Spiritual beliefs and religious sentiments play a key role in the recovery process for many patients. Religious practitioners like the priest, ministers, and rabbis are made to address heath related issues. Some patient populations consider religious objects and rituals in their care process. It is also to be noted that end of life choices are influenced greatly by religion (Cherry and Jacob 2016). Having known this fact, nurses must give thoughtfulness to the preferences of the patients before deciding on the final care plan that would address all physical health needs and emotional needs of the patient. The authors further state that different cultures have different notion of clock time and time elapsing. Understanding this leads to cultural sensitivity. In this respect it is also to be pointed out that cultures vary among the different health professionals working in collaboration with each other. Conflicts are common to occur when approaches used by nurses vary among themselves due to cultural beliefs that are dissimilar. However, conflict resolution is important as patient care is the prime focus. Nurses are to elaborate on the significance of cultural differences between two professionals and work together simultaneously being mindful and respectful of cultural viewpoints.

Environmental control has a profound effect on the patient's definitions of health and illness. The holistic paradigm is very much into existence in certain cultures. Spiritualistic, homoeopathic, and scientific elements are intermixed in such practices. Nurses are to remain familiar with these features and must not disrespect the patient's view of the accountability and power of these holistic healing approaches (Black 2016).

In conclusion, one can state that cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness have a profound impact on nursing practice when it comes to combating stereotypes and prejudices. Cultural competency works through culturally inclusive and holistic care practices that adhere to patient care guidelines existing on prevention of stereotypes and inequalities. A nurse is to remember that since the focus in on the enhanced recovery and well being of the patient, all the aspects that guide better patient outcomes are to be included in the care plan, encompassing culture. The rationale behind this is that the health status of a patient is influenced directly by his culture. Chances are scarce that healthcare would be sufficient exclusive of adjustment, negotiation and respect for cultural differences. Transcultural nursing care has indicted cultural competency to be an accepted standard which all nurses are to maintain as a duty.

References:

Black, B., 2016. Professional Nursing-E-Book: Concepts & Challenges. Elsevier Health Sciences. Missouri.

Cherry, B. and Jacob, S.R., 2016. Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management. Elsevier Health Sciences. Missouri.

Douglas, M. K., Rosenkoetter, M., Pacquiao, D. F., Callister, L. C., Hattar-Pollara, M., Lauderdale, J., ... and Purnell, L. 2014. Guidelines for implementing culturally competent nursing care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 25(2), pp.109-121. Sage Publications. New York.

Giger, J. N. 2016. Transcultural Nursing-E-Book: Assessment and Intervention. Elsevier Health Sciences. USA.

Jeffreys, M.R., 2015. Teaching cultural competence in nursing and health care: Inquiry, action, and innovation. Springer Publishing Company. New York.

Karatay, G., Bowers, B., Karada?, E.B. and Demir, M.C., 2016. Cultural perceptions and clinical experiences of nursing students in Eastern Turkey. International nursing review, 63(4), pp.547-554. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford.

Shen, Z., 2015. Cultural competence models and cultural competence assessment instruments in nursing: a literature review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(3), pp.308-321. Sage Publications. New York.