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Cultural diversity in nursing importance
Cultural competence and patient care essay
Cultural competence and patient care essay
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My chosen major of study is nursing and within the nursing field there are a lot of situations that the grasp of religion can be helpful. It is very important for a nurse or healthcare worker to understand the differences and rituals of different religions, but equally significant not to express your personal beliefs because it could offend a patient and cause emotional distress. As a nurse, it is essential to have culturally diverse knowledge to provide individualized, patient-centered care. Not only will I need to know my patients’ cultural and religious beliefs, but my understanding of the rationales supporting those beliefs are also important because they can impact my patients’ care. After researching I learned it is crucial to ask the
I find comfort and security in knowing that love and forgiveness, regardless of my mistakes, is never withheld. Not believing in something greater than myself soon leaves me in the darkness and despair of the unknown and I feel like the meaning and purpose of my life is robbed from me. My religion also impacts my nursing practice. I have faith that God hears our cries and prayers. I believe that he does answer them, although it may not always be in the way that we want, expect or understand. If a patient of mine is struggling I can turn to God for assistance in caring for one of his children. If they happen to disclose their beliefs and are open to talking about them, I can walk beside them on their journey with life and death. An individual’s beliefs, culture and diversity impact actions and behaviours in the workplace (Harris,
Culture is one of the most respected pieces of a person’s life, as it leads and directs their every day living, but also how they view life as a whole picture. We all have the right to our own perspectives and beliefs. Attributing factors could be family upbringing, education, marrying of a spouse, or even worldly travels and experiences. Jarvis (2012), acknowledges that culture involves a persons beliefs, values, and thoughts while implementing their race, ethnicity, and religion. The ability to learn about ones culture, and accommodate them in times of illness and challenges, is a special characteristic. This is an attribute that many accomplished nurses have because of Madeleine Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality.
As we know patients have a unique set of values that are influenced by their culture and spirituality. As a nursing student, I have a responsibility to demonstrate respect for my patients cultural and spiritual beliefs. For example, while I was providing morning care the patient’s grandson came in, and I respectfully asked the patient if it was okay for his grandson to stay in the room while I provided care. thus, in this situation I tried respect the health practices. There were no cultural issues.
Most of the people in all the countries of the world belong to a certain religion. For example, in Australia 77.7% of people follow a certain religious tradition ("Religion", 2017). Therefore, as a healthcare worker, I need not only to know the implication of my personal religious beliefs but also that of the patients. Since, I do not believe in a formal religion, most of the people I encounter have a system of beliefs that is contradictory for me. Even though I do not believe in God, I ascribe value to spirituality. Due to cultural awareness and competence, I have developed certain religious values. I acknowledge the importance of religion and religious education imparted to me and others as it teaches good moral values, including respect for others. Most of the religions also inculcate compassion for the fellow human beings. Therefore, I appreciate the role of religion and always try to respect the people belonging to any religion. I believe that everyone is free to choose any religion, and his or her choice should not be a basis of discrimination and disregard for others. These beliefs and values would help me understand the religious beliefs of others while offering healthcare to them. For example, I can take into consideration the values of the patients of other religious denominations, their gender sensitivity, modesty, and diets. If I were not culturally aware and competent, I would impose
There are many knowledgeable books that introduce religions as well as specific religious traditions. However, students are naturally introduced to abstract methodological issues such as observer bias, rather than the religions themselves. If religions of the world are not approached with purpose and method, then students are likely to gain “stereotypes… of misinformation supplied by certain sectors of the media” (Chryssides & Geaves, 2014). Thus, in order to see how religion is lived in day to day life, one must “walk a mile in [the] moccasins [of religious people]” as Smart (1998) says. Therefore this essay will attempt to answer why it is important to study religion off campus and how this may challenge traditional understandings of religion.
I am grateful to be at an institution of higher learning that understands and respects faith. My philosophy of nursing cannot be explained without God and Jesus. They are a part of each one of us. The reason that someone goes into a healthcare professional is usually to favorably treat a patient’s health. Spirituality of mind and body cannot be separated completely in my nursing philosophy. In this vein, nursing cannot be wholly separated from faith.
This paper explores the concept of culture, its definitions, and its application to nursing and health care. Culture is a group's customs, habits, morals, and shared beliefs. The understanding of culture, not only as a concept, but how it relates to health care is imperative for providers. The lack of cultural awareness, or competency, leads to miscommunication, inadequacy of care, and health disparities among individuals and groups. Jehovah’s Witness’ are one group of individuals with defined morals and beliefs that can be at odds with routine health care: they do not accept most blood products. Understanding how culture can impact a patient, their needs, and beliefs can improve patient outcomes and improve satisfaction rates.
Many nurses treat each patient as they want to be treated and while this is the golden rule it is not always the best course of action when working with those who are of a different culture or faith. It is important to be open-minded and unafraid to explore our own feelings, biases, and correct misunderstandings to provide the best care possible. The following information is given to open an eye to the culture of Islam, an overview of the basic pillars and behaviors a nurse or medical staff could see or hear. When those in the healthcare setting have a good basic understanding of a culture it will become easier to treat the person as a whole, and to understand how to care for the patient and the family.
Religion is a significant aspect of culture that must be understood and respected. Through understanding the differences in peoples cultures, a nurse who is tending to a patient who’s beliefs differ from his or her own can appropriately adjust care to respect the patient’s beliefs and
As I reflect on spiritual disciplines it is easy for me to look at them and weed out the ones that I do not think apply to me and the ones that I am drawn towards. But as I press into God and ask him what he sees fit and what I need more of, the picture begins to looks different than what I thought I saw before. Since I am so obviously human, I would rather see my life through a different more accurate lens than one that is tainted and imperfect like those of my human eyes. When I look at my life spiritually it is easy for me to see the spiritual disciplines that just come naturally to me such as worship and service. Since I know that those are areas of my faith that I thrive in, I tend to gravitate towards those to try and satisfy my spiritual life but I leave other parts to suffer. I want to gain better understanding of my faith and ultimately cultivate a deeper relationship with the Father.
...locking out the idea. Spirituality also assists in fostering a healthy patient. Many individuals believe in a higher power and therefore we as nurses should encourage that connection when we see it being made. Spiritual connections are a way to give the patient an outlet. They are able to express themselves and rely on something other than physical care and diagnoses. They are about to look to this higher being for encouragement, peace, and healing.
includes religious leaders or family. Regardless of culturally differences a nurse needs to gain the
Speaking one’s reasoned thoughts should not be one way or restricted, and the listener should be welcoming. This exercise helped me practice being in the moment, and these skills will be useful in end-of-life care. In the end, I believe that I gained more insight on the person and their individual thoughts rather than the religion that defines them overall, which is a good mentality in getting to know one’s patient. Lastly, Jimin shared a verse from Hebrews 11:1, the King James Version, that stated, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This means that your beliefs and hopes are not physically tangible or easily analyzed, but they are still your faith, and it relates to patient care for they are all their own individuals with different thoughts; they should be treated respectfully with the utmost
As a nurse, compassionate care in central to my job as a health care worker and child of Christ. My thinking is directed through my Christian worldview, because I see patients as people and not just patients. The element that differentiates a Christian nurse is the gift of compassion and empathy. Christian nurses are able to assess patients both physically and spiritual in order to provide holistic care. The implications of my belief are that I am carrying out the calling that God has given to me by practicing compassionate care.
Within the United States there are many cultures present. Nurses should be careful in not imposing their culture on their patients, but rather be respectful to their patient’s cultures and beliefs regardless of their personal beliefs. An example from my practice is circumcisions. Some cultures do not do circumcisions. If a nurse believes all males should be circumcised, she should not push that belief onto someone who does not.