Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing Essays Text

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вќ discuss this statement in reference to leininger's tanscultural theory of nursing and the cultural safety model. When it comes to optimizing nursing care the above statement does not reflect leininger's theory of transcultural care which emphasises that appropriate regard is given to the cultural differences existing between maori and pakeha. Leininger is an american nursing theorist whose approach is from a dominant culture and is based upon an anthropological viewpoint. Her work is an attempt to increase nursing effectiveness within this multicultural environment, whilst at the same time recognising that the provision and source of medical care originates from the more dominant western culture. Nurses are encouraged to become educated about a wide variety of cultural beliefs and sensitivities and specifically, to identify those aspects that are relevant to the context of nursing care. Leininger has defined transcultural nursing as a major area of nursing that focuses on a comparative study and analysis of different cultures and subcultures, with respect to their caring values, expression, health/illness beliefs and pattern of behaviour with the intention of being able to develop a scientific and humanistic knowledge base that provides culture specific and/or culture universal nursing practice вќ alligood, 1998.

One of the key aspects within the theory of transcultural nursing is the idea of the nurse being an лњobserver' of other cultures and having a strong understanding of the various concepts of culture in relation to the cultural group they are working with. This role of лњobserver' is also extended cultural competence is defined as possessing the skills and knowledge necessary to appreciate, respect, and work with individuals from different cultures. It is a concept that requires self awareness, awareness and understanding of cultural differences, and the ability to adapt to clinical skills and. Thanks for submitting the cultural competence health practitioner assessment. Based on your responses to each sub scale, the following resources should enable you to enhance your cultural and linguistic competence. Subscale: values and belief systems values amp amp belief systems subscale the values. Below is an essay on cultural sensitivity from anti essays, your source for research papers, essays, and term paper examples.

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Culture, according to the textbook devito, 2007, 2009 , consists of the relatively specialized lifestyle of a group of people that is passed on from one generation to the next through communication, not through genes. Nearly everywhere we go in the world, we are presented with cultural differences which require sensitivity. Particularly in america, one is challenged day to day with different cultures’ particular forms of communicating and how a message should be received or expressed in order to maximize the communication through whatever medium is used. The textbook touched upon several theories regarding cultural sensitivity, though i would like to focus on one for the purposes of this paper after reading the course material, i am reminded of my time living in california where i was surrounded by a huge mix of cultural backgrounds. Hispanics are descendants of a very masculine culture, whereas personally i am used to an individualistic way of doing things. Men are very outspoken, verbose and prone to brash and often pointless displays of bravado which more than occasionally result in personal injury or jailtime.

However it seems that women in a masculine culture encourage the males in their culture to exhibit this behavior. It does require sensitivity when dealing with them, but often times i was expected to act differently, especially towards my girlfriend and other males. In this sort of culture, they can often sense fear in much the same way as a pit fighting dog does, so it is not wise to let your guard down when surrounded by a group of them. When confronted with most problems, they tend to react with violence which i have found is generally based in fear of something they don’t understand. In a masculine culture, it is often considered a weakness to ask for help if you. As it is, every culture is different from the other this difference is reflected in the way day to day activities are carried out and in the way the society expects people to live their lives.

Since the world over is becoming global, we should know how cultural sensitivity and competence affects those who we interact with. Basing on my cultural assessment, this paper clearly shows how cultural sensitivity and competence impacts the care of mental health clients and the possible risks or protective factors arising from my cultural assessment. All the results presented here are based on the cultural assessment which entails history of my cultural group, values orientation, cultural sanctions and restrictions, health related believes and practices and my religious affiliation. Leininger has defined transcultural nursing as a major area of nursing that focuses on a comparative study and analysis of different cultures and subcultures, with respect to their caring values, expression, healthillness beliefs and pattern of behaviour with the intention of being able to develop a scientific and humanistic knowledge base that provides culture specific andor culture universal nursing practiceae alligood, 1998.

One of the key aspects within the theory of transcultural nursing is the idea of the nurse being an 'observer' of other cultures and having a strong understanding of the various concepts of culture in relation to the cultural group they are working with. By examining their own cultural beliefs and values, the nurse will be more aware of how their own culture may be inadvertently imposed upon the cultural identity of the patients they care for. Leininger defines this tendency of nurses to dominate their clients cultural identity as 'cultural imposition'. Cooney, 1994 leninger considers that cultural differences are scientifically identifiable and that it is importa many countries in the 21st century with the increase in global movement have become multicultural. In today’s multicultural society, minority ethnic groups form 7.9% of the uk population office for national statistics, 2001 cited by black 2008. Nurses because of cultural diversity have to face the challenge of working with patients from different cultural background. According to hancock 2003 one of the challenges is bringing to this multicultural society a high quality care that meets the appropriate needs of the patient, thus it is important that care is provided in a manner that respects and accommodates everyone’s cultural and religious needs.

Awareness about cultures and their impact on interactions with health care is fundamental for nurses in any care setting. Culture is one of the organising concepts upon which nursing is based and defined. Leininger 2002 defines culture as a set of values, beliefs and traditions that are led by a specific group of people and handed down from generation to generation. Culture is learned shared and transmitted values, life way practices of a particular group that guides thinking, decisions and actions in particular way. The most primary means to transmit culture and preserve it is communication berenson ld, 2011. Nurses working in a multicultural society need to be aware that other cultures other than their own exist and avoid assuming that other people will conform to a particular cultural pattern.

Part of treating individuals with respect involves respecting and understanding their culture and values. Judging people of other cultures on the basis of what is acceptable to us can lead to serious misjudgements, misunderstanding and failures of care. Berenson ld 2010 goes on to say knowing about our patients cultures and individual beliefs is as important as knowing their physical problems, functional limitations and response to illness to provide safe competent and comprehensive nursing care. It is essential that nurses consider specific cultural factors impacting on individual patients and be aware that intra cultural variation means that each patient must be assessed for individual cultural differences. Black 2008 says nursing care these days has progressed beyond treating illnesses through diagnosis and prescribing a cure, a comprehensively holistic approach to patient care transcultural nursing is being advocated for by the practice.

Transcultural nursing as defined by leininger 1997 cited by narayanasamy 2003 as ‘a formal area of study and practice focused on comparative holistic culture care, health, and illness patterns of people with respect to differences and similarities in their cultural values, beliefs, and life ways with the goal to provide culturally congruent, competent and compassionate care’. Nurses acquire the necessary skills needed to provide culturally competent services through education and training, mentorship and continued professional development. Tanscultural nursing’s strategy is about addressing the patient’s cultural needs, equal access to treatment, respect for cultural beliefs and practices including religion, diet, personal care needs, daily routines, communication needs and cultural safety needs narayanasamy,2003. When patients and nurses meet, three cultures also meet that of the nurse, patient and setting. Nurses need to implement their knowledge of cultural diversity to develop a culturally sensitive nursing care. This enables nurses to be more effective in initiating nursing assessments and serving as patient’s advocates. When nurses have knowledge of other cultures, they are in a position to influence professional policies.

Transcultural care is transferred into practice through a nursing practice that is culturally sensitive. It utilises apie assess, plan, implement, evaluate when assessing, the nurse needs to find out what the patient knows about their health and treatments. Cultural awareness, sensitivity and competence plays a very important role in nursing practice. Respect for the patient and support group is very vital whether it includes religious leaders or family. Regardless of culturally differences a nurse needs to gain the trust of the patient, if language is a barrier the nurse should pay attention to the means of interpretation. Brady 2001 cited by culley 2001 says successful interpersonal communication necessitates the interpretation of speech, tone, language register, facial expressions, body language, gestures, use of space and assumptions shared between the communicants. A professional interpreter should be called to make sure the patient needs are met.

Cultural competence is the ability to provide effective care to patients who come from different cultures and plays an important part in nursing. It requires sensitivity and effective communication, both verbally and non verbally. It is an evolving process that depends on self awareness, knowledge and development and application of skills. All nurses should never make assumptions about their patient’s beliefs for example that all jehovah’s witnesses do not like blood transfusions. A competent nurse finds out about the patient’s cultural practice in a professional manner. Being cultural insensitive can lead to stereotyping, discrimination, racism and prejudice. Some cultures do not call elders by their first names which can be hard for some nurses with this background treating elderly people.

Some people may have different beliefs about medical care and treatment in uk, which some nurses may not understand, but need to respect regardless. As culture, behaviour and beliefs is learnt from birth, we become integrated into that culture and this can have effect on how we interact and relate to the health system. Culturally competent nurses advocates for patients to benefit from a better outlook of the health care system and practice, mutual respect, dignity, consideration and overall good health.