course material

1. ack of cultural awareness and failure to provide culturally competent
ack of cultural awareness and failure to provide culturally competent care can impact
patients in a negative manner, adding more stress, and resulting in inadequate care
provided by nurses. First answer: What makes a nurse culturally competent? Then explain a
situation in your practice as a nurse where either cultural competence was at the forefront
of care or was lacking.Your initial posting should be at least 400 words in length and utilize
at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Expert Solution
PreviewIntroduction:Cultural competence is an essential aspect of providing appropriate
and effective care in healthcare. The nursing profession requires nurses to understand and
provide care that is sensitive to diverse cultural beliefs, practices, and values of patients.
Hence, it is important for nurses to be culturally competent in their approach to patient
care. In this paper, I will discuss what makes a nurse culturally competent and share an
experience where cultural competence was either present or absent in my practice as a
nurse.What Makes a Nurse Culturally Competent?Cultural competence in nursing refers to
the ability of nurses to recognize and respect the cultural diversity of patients, families, and
communities they serve. It involves a set of attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enable
nurses to provide appropriate healthcare services irrespective of the patient’s cultural
background. A culturally competent nurse recognizes the cultural influences that shape a
patient’s personal beliefs and health practices, and they adjust their care approach to
accommodate those beliefs. They also understand how cultural differences affect
communication and care delivery, avoiding stereotypes and assumptions about a patient’s
culture. To become culturally competent, nurses must be open-minded, non-judgmental,
respectful, and sensitive to the needs of their patients.A Situation in my Practice as a Nurse
where Cultural Competence was Present or AbsentAs a nurse, I once had a patient from a
different country who was admitted with complications after undergoing an abortion.
Initially, I struggled to communicate with her due to language barriers, but I used a
professional interpreter to communicate with her more effectively. Together with the
interpreter, I learned that in her culture, abortion was perceived as a shameful act, and her
community stigmatized women who had abortions. Her family was also concerned about
the financial burden of her hospitalization. Understanding the cultural influences, I
provided emotional support to the patient, and I involved her family in the care process. I
also provided teaching about contraceptive methods that were culturally acceptable.In
another situation, I had a patient with a chronic illness who was admitted for monitoring
and management. Despite needing urgent care, the patient’s cultural background demanded

2. that they consult a traditional healer first. The patient’s primary care physician, who was
unfamiliar with the patient’s culture, expressed disapproval, and the patient felt
disrespected. The physician did not provide culturally competent care, and as a result, the
patient delayed necessary care, leading to complications.ConclusionCultural competence is
an important aspect of nursing that ensures patients receive culturally sensitive and
appropriate care. It involves an understanding of cultural beliefs, values, and practices that
shape a patient’s health care needs. By being culturally competent, nurses can build trusting
relationships with patients and families, making it easier to provide optimal care. It is
essential for nurses to continue learning, reflecting, and seeking ways to enhance their
cultural competence to improve the quality of care they provide.#ack #cultural #awareness
#failure #provide #culturally #competent