Nursing Coat of Arms: Cultural Competence, Communication, Empathy, Teamwork, and Pride

2026 Words5 Pages

Nursing has been a rapidly evolving profession for over the past few decades and the role of nursing has become increasingly defined. Five distinct qualities that have become essential qualities for nurses today are cultural competence, communication, empathy, teamwork and pride. This following paper will discuss and explain the five qualities mentioned above and the symbols used to represent each quality in our Coat of Arms.

Cultural competence is a valuable quality nurses must process to provide quality care. This quality is especially crucial in Canada, as Canada is known for it’s culturally diversity. This quality that was first brought forth by a well-distinguished nurse named Madeleine Leininger (Leever, 2011). Leininger believed that the meaning of health and illness of every client originates from their own cultural beliefs and values (Leever, 2011). Therefore, in being able to provide culturally competent care, nurses are able to promote the subjective good of the client and client autonomy (Leever, 2011). Promoting client autonomy and the subjective good of the client are both key goals of nursing professional; and thus, emphasizing the paramount effects that culturally competent care can offer. Other additional advantages to culturally competent care include promoting client’s self-concept and improving trust between nurse and client. By providing culturally competent care, the client is able to preserve their cultural identity. Identity is a significant component of self-concept; and thus, by maintaining a client’s identity means to promote the client’s self-concept (Potter & Perry, 2010). Furthermore, transcultural care of clients improves trust between client and nurse by allowing the client to feel both more safe...

... middle of paper ...

...98135?accountid=13631

Leever, M. (2011). Cultural competence: Reflections on patient autonomy and patient good. Nursing Ethics, 18(4), 560-570. doi:10.1177/0969733011405936

Leonard, M., Graham, S., & Bonacum, D. (2004). The human factor: The critical importance of

effective teamwork and communication in providing safe care. BMJ Quality & Safety

Health Care, 13, i85-i90. doi: 10.1136/qshc.2004.010033

Moscrop, A. (2001). Empathy: A lost meaning? Western Journal of Medicine, 175(1), 59-60.

Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/

docview/200471976?accountid=13631

Potter, P. A., & Perry, G. P. (2010). Canadian fundamentals of nursing. (4th rev. ed.).

Toronto: Elsevier.

pride. (n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from Dictionary.com

website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride

Open Document