Knowledge and attitudes of nurses toward culturally different patients: implications for nursing education

This exploratory study was designed to examine the knowledge and attitudes of nurses toward patients from culturally different backgrounds. The Cultural Fitness Survey (CFS) was used to collect data from subjects randomly selected from a pool of registered nurses employed in acute care hospitals in an urban midwestern county. Significant differences were noted in the nurses' knowledge about, and their attitude toward, Black American, Asian American, and Hispanic cultures and health care practices. Of the six demographic variables, only the level of educational preparation was significantly correlated with knowledge and biases of nurses toward culturally different patients. Nurse educators must examine the differences in objectives, content, and learning experiences related to cultural diversity that might account for these differences. Such an examination is essential in preparing nurses to practice in a global society.