Preparation of nurses to meet the needs of an ethnically diverse society: educational implications

In recognizing the multiethnic composition of contemporary society in the UK, this paper considers the implications for nurse education in respect of preparing practitioners who are capable of meeting the needs of an ethnically diverse population. It begins by considering briefly some contextual issues relating to the health needs of ethnic minorities and how they impact upon nursing practice. The literature clearly indicates some of the complexities that nurses face in attempting to deliver care which is responsive to the individual needs of patients in a multicultural context. The question then arises as to how nurse education can most effectively prepare future practitioners. Consideration is given to the curriculum content, methods and approaches that may be utilized together with different teaching and learning strategies. The case is made for the need for nurse educators to also consider the recruitment and support of students from ethnic minority groups, if nursing is to make progress in responding more appropriately to the needs of ethnic minority groups in the UK.