Pediatric nurses' care competence and cross-cultural competence: A cross-sectional analysis in Türkiye

Given the increasing cultural diversity in healthcare settings, understanding nurses' abilities to deliver culturally responsive and patient-centered care has become essential. To examine cross-cultural competence and patient-centered care competence among pediatric nurses in child health clinics in Türkiye.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Three hundred and twenty-two pediatric nurses completed a Sociodemographic Form, the Cultural Competence Scale for Health Professionals, and a Patient-Centered Care Competence Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.

Mean patient-centered care competence was 64.66 ± 17.23, above moderate level. Cultural competence mean was 57.86 ± 12.65 (mean score items 2.41), indicating low competence. A strong, significant correlation was found between cultural competence and patient-centered care competence (r = 0.601; p < 0.001), strongest between care competence total and the cultural "Adaptation" subscale (r = 0.772; p < 0.001).

Pediatric nurses demonstrated a moderate level of patient-centered care competence, whereas their cultural competence was found to be insufficient. The significant association between these two competencies suggests that strengthening cultural competence through targeted education and professional training programs may enhance the delivery of culturally congruent, patient-centered pediatric care.

The findings highlight the need to strengthen pediatric nurses' cultural competence through targeted education and institutional support. Enhancing cultural competence may promote culturally congruent, patient-centered care, improve communication with migrant children and their families, and contribute to reducing inequalities in pediatric healthcare.