Cultural competence for critical care nursing practice

Cultural information should be critically examined and appropriately used in the context of individual relationships. The increased ethnic minority population in the health care system mandates that differences be recognized and responded to. Furthermore, the linear and technologic environment of the critical care unit intensifies the potential for cultural dissonance and disempowerment of ethnic minorities. CCNs must be creative and willing to transform nursing care to meet the needs of all. Knowing one's self, being aware of limitations, and understanding the influence of culture on others are essential to being culturally competent and an effective CCN. Because nursing remains dominated by individuals from the majority culture, many have little experience with persons of diverse ethnicity. Increasing cultural knowledge and the numbers of minority nurses and translators in the ICU are only the start to providing holistic care to this country's diverse population. Patient outcomes should improve and nurses are greatly enriched from an understanding and achievement of cultural competency.