Cultural Diversity in the Nursing Process
Diversity in the nursing field offers an opportunity to administer quality care and support to patients. Today, nurses are increasing their interaction with patients from varied cultural settings (Alvernia, 2016). The nursing process calls nurses to deliver culturally competent care during the assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patients.
Cultural diversity occurs in the nursing process through cultural awareness. Campinha-Bacote (2003) argues that nurses should develop self-awareness to examine personal biases, assumptions, and prejudices. For example, during patient assessment, a nurse can make erroneous assumptions that can hinder patient satisfaction (Campinha-Bacote, 2003). Cultural diversity assists in the nursing process by requiring understanding one’s thoughts, beliefs, and feelings and how they can contribute to cultural imposition.
The nursing process also calls nurses to build their knowledge about other cultures. Gaining knowledge about a patient’s beliefs and perceptions requires awareness of their world view. The patient world view is especially important in diagnosis and planning patient care. For example, relying on a message about a chronic condition differs in how it impacts young people and older patients (Campinha-Bacote, 2003). The knowledge would be helpful in planning treatment interventions that make patients feel comfortable and supported.
Cultural diversity in the nursing process can also be achieved by educating patients about various medical practices. Patients need the information to make informed consent in regards to medical implementation and evaluation. For example, patients need to understand why they are consenting to a specific medical procedure (Alvernia, 2016). Such practices promote patient wellbeing and ensure culturally sensitive care.
Conclusion
Cultural diversity is essential in the nursing process. Self-awareness allows nurses to overcome biases or prejudice during patient assessment or diagnosis. Obtaining knowledge about other cultures also ensures culturally sensitive care during procedures such as diagnosis, and planning patient care. Educating patients also ensures culturally-informed methods of evaluation and implementation of intervention occur.
References
Alvernia University. (2016). A guide to culturally competent nursing care. Retrieved from https://online.alvernia.edu/articles/culturally-competent-nursing-care/
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2003). Many faces: addressing diversity in health care. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 8(1), 3. Retrieved from http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/AddressingDiversityinHealthCare.html