Incorporating cultural diversity in nursing care: an action plan

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Cultural Competence
• Healthcare Disparities

Background:

• Increasing immigration and diversity in the United States necessitate culturally sensitive healthcare.
• Traditional nursing approaches may not adequately address diverse cultural contexts in patient care.

Observation:

• Nurses function as intermediaries between their own culture, the healthcare system, and the client's culture.
• The nursing process provides a framework for delivering culturally competent care.

Findings:

• Culturally competent care involves nurses brokering three distinct cultural spheres.
• Culture-specific assessments, utilizing frameworks like the explanatory model of illness, are crucial.
• Standard nursing diagnoses may require adaptation for diverse populations.

Implications:

• Enhanced cultural brokering by nurses can improve health equity for diverse patient groups.
• Adapting assessment tools and strategies is vital for effective, patient-centered care.
• Further research into culturally tailored nursing interventions is warranted.