Cultural and ethnic diversity. Unique challenges in critical care education

Cultural and ethnic diversity are facts of life in modern America. This diversity adds greatly to a society's growth and development much as herbs and spices make the difference between a really great soup and a bowl of hot colored water. Yet, as any great cook knows, one has to work with the spices to discover how to blend and mix them. The critical care environment intensifies the tendency for cultures to collide and for education to be stressful and unsuccessful. An educator who is able to learn about other cultures, use flexibility and creativity in teaching methods, and be sensitive to the needs of special groups will find this cultural diversity to be part of the spice of successful educational offerings and a rewarding career.