Living in two different worlds or living in the world differently: a qualitative study with American Indian nurses

Nurses of American Indian heritage address unique challenges in their professional and personal lives. A qualitative study is described that investigates how such nurses bring unique qualities to nursing based on their spiritual beliefs, which stem from tradition and ritual, belief in the family, and harmony and oneness with the earth and with all creatures. The imperative to do cross-cultural research as well as the difficulties encountered in doing such research are discussed.