Culturally Sensitive Nursing Care

A detailed Summary of Culturally Sensitive Nursing Care

What is meant by culturally sensitive nursing care? How does it apply to nursing? In order to understand culturally sensitive nursing care you must first understand culture and cultural diversity. Culture guides our thinking, doing and being, and becomes patterned expressions of who we are (Basic Nursing, 2003). Cultural diversity is the difference between people rooted in a shared belief and value system based on norms, customs and way of life. Knowledge of cultural diversity is important in all levels of nursing because it comes through communication and education between clients and nurses. Culturally sensitive nursing care recognizes the need for respect and acknowledgement of the wholeness of all human beings, regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, heritage, religion - everyone has a unique background. Culturally sensitive nursing care is a required factor that must be practiced. It is significant in order to care and understand importance to the patient, resulting in comfort for the family as well as the patient. This also increases the chance of compliance and eases the passage for family and friends. Providing the necessary care is not the only value to a strong outcome, but communication and developing a strong client/nu

Health and illness are universal conditions experienced uniquely by each individual (Transcultural Nursing, 1989). No matter what race, ethnicity, or culture that the patient practices, they all have the right to acquire culturally competent nursing care. Recognizing cultural diversity, integrating cultural knowledge and acting in an appropriate manner enables nurses to be more effective in assessing and saving the client's life. Nurses who are culturally diverse understand that there are many forms of knowledge and different ways of knowing.

Every individual is culturally unique. An important step in practicing culturally sensitive nursing care is to be aware of and overcome stereotypes. Stereotyping is the assumption that all people of similar races or cultures are alike and share the same values and beliefs (Basic Nursing, 2003). An example of this is assuming that all African-American people are thieves because one robbed you. Stereotypes are based on the misunderstanding of culture. Communicating with the client and learning their specific background and beliefs, while practicing respect, can be a great step in overcoming or even preventing stereotyping altogether. It is critical that nurses understand and recognize individual differences and do not participate in cultural stereotyping.

In today's society, nurses will come in contact with many cultures and races, all with different needs and backgroun

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Approximate Word count = 958
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Category: History