Quality improvement with a culturally diverse staff: implications for nurse managers

Cultural diversity is a noticeable reality in today's work force. The problems resulting from cultural diversity pose special challenges to nurse managers. If nurse managers are to be successful at managing diversity, they need to not only be aware of the specific issues created by diversity, but they must plan effective management and leadership strategies to enable staff to collectively meet the desired goals of the work setting. The authors of this article are employed in one of the most culturally diverse work settings in the world. Their experiences in successfully implementing a quality improvement program, and in using strategies to gain shared vision and commitment by management and staff, will be explored and the implications for nurse managers outlined.