Demonstrating and improving cultural competence in nursing

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2020 census found that the United States is currently in this example more racially and ethnically diverse than in 2010. And in 2021 Questionnairemore people identified as a part of the LGBTQ+ community than in 2012. As we try to implement inclusive practices, we must always consider the characteristics, identities and affiliations of patients, colleagues and nurse leaders.

Differences and similarities can include anything from an individual’s religious practices to dietary restrictions. Cultural competence in nursing is the practice of understanding these kinds of differences and using them to tell how we construct relationships and supply care – with awareness, empathy and skill.

“The act of cultural competence in nursing means truly understanding another human being [person’s] cultural and religious beliefs, race, ethnicity, values ​​and more. Taking this approach allows for the development of a comprehensive, individualized care plan that starts with the patient’s perspective,” said Trish Richardson, MSN, BSBA, RN, NE-BC, CMSRN and president of the North Carolina Nurses Association.

Cultural awareness

Demonstrating cultural competence in nursing begins with awareness. By being aware, you identify the diversity that exists among your patients and then use that information to provide informed and bias-free care.

Richardson explained that awareness takes all elements of a patient’s situation and uses them to tailor care so that the person feels understood and comfortable.

“For example, you may be caring for someone who has recently been diagnosed with heart failure and who will now need to take daily medications and regularly monitor their weight,” Richardson explained. “Is English their primary language or will medical translation assistance be needed? How do their cultural beliefs influence whether they will adhere to medication and discharge recommendations? Do they have insurance or would they use a prescription discount card (if available)? Do they have a scale at home and access to the Internet to send their weight data to their doctor?

Asking thoughtful questions like these will help you find ways to communicate with your patients so they understand you while remaining comfortable. AND 2018 study found that language barriers between patients and nurses are common. The majority of participants in this study used interpreter services to communicate clearly with their patients, reporting improved quality of care in the work environment as a result of these services. By setting an example of awareness, you not only improve the nurse-patient relationship, but also improve the quality of your care.

Empathy

Empathy is an essential part of the patient-staff relationship. By showing empathy, you acknowledge your understanding of another person’s feelings and viewpoints through impartial communication and listening. Alisha Cornell, DNP, RN and senior clinical implementation consultant at Relias, mentioned one example of empathy used in conjunction with cultural competency.

“If the patient’s culture does not allow for care by the opposite sex, make sure the nurse caring for the patient during the shift is appropriate for the patient’s culture. Communicate this information to the nurse and ensure that any additional cultural norms are recognized and followed,” she said.

To provide the most appropriate type of care, it is extremely important to enhance empathy by actively and impartially listening and asking questions to understand the patient’s needs, beliefs and values. Many marginalized groups face health disparities, including discrimination or denial of access to certain health care services.

Such cases can create an uncomfortable environment for the patient, but also result in lower quality of care. By ensuring that patients are heard, you will strengthen the patient-staff relationship and help reduce some of the health inequities they face.

Skill

As a nurse, you follow organizational procedures while providing skilled, evidence-based care. If you have patients from unknown or unusual backgrounds, you can use your well-honed skills to understand their needs and provide care on their terms. In some situations, it may seem difficult to stray from your usual approach. However, applying cultural competence will help you adapt to the needs of each patient.

Cornell found that some nurses may overthink certain interactions with patients, mentioning, for example, patients who are Jehovah’s Witnesses and cannot receive blood products.

“Instead of dwelling on this cultural belief and creating stress about the patient’s limitations,” she said, “the nurse can first assess whether the patient is at risk of needing a blood transfusion during hospitalization. They can then use their knowledge of cultural competency to better understand Jehovah’s Witnesses’ health care practices and talk to the patient or family to better understand this limitation.”

According to Cornell, cultural competence in nursing can assist lower expectations or remove assumptions nurses can have about how patients need to receive care or what’s helpful to them. Nurses may not at all times know the precise answer, but they may reveal cultural competency of their practice, so they may continually learn something latest with each patient. With this skill set and training resources, nurses can guide their patients to feel supported, heard, and revered.

Cultural competence doesn’t end with patients

Cultural competence is equally essential for nurses. A study conducted in 2020 in Healthcare management review emphasized the connection between organizational cultural competences and the way it affects teamwork. The study found that healthcare staff who positively perceived their organization’s cultural competency felt that they had stronger overall team dynamics.

An example could be if a colleague has food that should be prepared a certain way or cannot eat certain foods, Cornell explained. Being mindful and asking a colleague for his or her team meal preferences or finding an alternate solution to spend team constructing time that permits the colleague to feel comfortable with the food being served is a solution to reveal cultural competence.

Understanding the cultural background of your colleagues can create a more open work environment, help you learn out of your peers, increase self-awareness and help your team function. This awareness and respect to your teammates can then translate into your practice.

Improving cultural competences

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) skills are an enormous asset in healthcare, and inclusive approaches are being incorporated into many organizations’ policies, procedures and training. These elements provide a friendly and cozy environment for each patients and staff and play a serious role in the event of cultural competence.

To improve your cultural competence, you may start with education and training. Cornell has detailed essentially the most helpful sorts of DEI education. “The best cultural competence training is simulation or virtual training. “The opportunity to use knowledge and judgment in a simulated environment helps to understand emotions and concepts and obtain real and realistic feedback, which allows for expanding knowledge about cultural competence,” she said. . This style of education may begin during a nurse’s academic profession, but more often this education is provided by the health care facility or organization where the nurse works.

“An organization’s DEI strategy can help nurses better understand cultural differences through programs, online courses, and ongoing education and training,” Cornell said.

Richardson added: “When I was at the bedside, my approach was: If it was me in the bed, how would I want to be treated? This allowed me to better assess the current situation of my patients.” Thanks to this approach, which has been accepted and integrated into the work culture, each nurses and patients experience positive effects.

Nurses also can independently take actions geared toward increasing their self-awareness and increasing the extent of cultural competence. This may include learning a brand new language, participating in continuing education, learning more about different points of your community through volunteering or local faith groups, or talking to colleagues and patients.

Nurses work on the front lines and interact with people from all backgrounds and cultures. By increasing cultural competency in nursing, you may support positive patient outcomes, intervene to cut back health disparities, and promote an inclusive and culturally sensitive environment.

• The impact of cultural differences on interpersonal communication (1 hour of contact) Intercultural work requires appreciating the impact of cultural differences on interpersonal communication. By communicating and collaborating productively together with your colleagues, you’re way more more likely to provide culturally appropriate care to your patients and improve the general patient experience.
• Cultural Competency: Cultural Factors in Pain Management (1 contact hour) This course helps healthcare professionals change into acquainted with cultural differences related to the perception and management of pain. Pain variables reminiscent of culture, religion, and ethnicity will not be part of ordinary pain scales. Health care professionals must provide culturally competent care to their patients by asking questions on the particular practices, beliefs, and values ​​about pain that impact a patient’s quality of life.
• Cultural Perspectives in Childbearing (1 contact hour) The aim of this course is to enhance the abilities of health care professionals in assessing and meeting the sociocultural needs of reproductive families from different cultures.
• Culture and Women’s Health (1 contact hour) The purpose of this course is to tell health care professionals in regards to the influence of culture on women’s health beliefs and practices and responses to current approaches to care.