What do you think you can do in your current role to ensure that all of your departments are providing culturally competent care to all of your patients? How to Provide Culturally Competent Care in Nursing How to Provide Culturally Competent Care in Nursing What changes do you think need to be made? Do you think certain areas or departments in nursing see more conflict than others?

How to Provide Culturally Competent Care in Nursing

As a nurse, it is important to ensure that all patients receive culturally competent care, regardless of their cultural background. Several steps can be taken to ensure that the department provides culturally competent care to all patients. One method is to educate oneself about different cultures and their healthcare beliefs and practices (Sharifi et al., 2019). This can be done through reading, attending cultural competency training sessions, or working with interpreters who are familiar with the patient’s culture. In addition, it is essential to communicate with patients in a way that is respectful and considerate of their cultural beliefs and practices (Brooks, Manias & Bloomer, 2019). This may involve using interpreters, speaking slowly and clearly, and using non-verbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions.

Practising open-mindedness is another way of providing culturally competent care. A nursing practitioner should be ready to learn the patient’s cultural beliefs and practices. Moreover, it is important to incorporate these into the plan of care whenever possible (Hemberg, 2020). For example, if a patient follows a specific diet due to their cultural beliefs, the nurse should work with the patient and the healthcare team to ensure that the patient’s dietary needs are met. It is important to involve the patient in decision-making and respect their autonomy (Usberg et al., 2021). This may involve seeking the patient’s permission before performing certain procedures and explaining the procedure and its purpose in a way that the patient can understand.

Finally, it is important to advocate for the patient’s needs and to ensure that they receive the best possible care. This may involve advocating for the use of interpreters, coordinating care with other healthcare providers, and advocating for the patient’s rights (Abbasinia et al., 2021). Culturally competent care necessitates a willingness to learn, a dedication to respect and inclusiveness, and a focus on the patient’s needs and preferences. By adopting these actions, nurses may help to guarantee that all patients, regardless of cultural background, receive the best possible care.

Conflict in nursing areas or departments

Certain areas or departments in nursing may see more conflict than others. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as the nature of the work, the patient population, the leadership and management style, and the overall culture of the department. For example, emergency departments and intensive care units may see more conflict due to the fast-paced and high-stress nature of the work (García‐Martín et al., 2021). These departments may also see a higher volume of critically ill patients, which can lead to more intense emotions and conflicts. In contrast, a long-term care facility or a hospice may see less conflict due to the slower pace and focus on end-of-life care.

Conflicts may also arise due to differences in values and beliefs among nurses. For example, a nurse who is pro-choice may come into conflict with a nurse who is pro-life when caring for a pregnant patient (Ames & Serafim, 2022). Additionally, conflicts may arise between nurses and physicians or between nurses and other healthcare professionals due to differing approaches to patient care. Leadership and management style can also play a role in the amount of conflict within a department (Pishgooie et al., 2019). An inflexible leader who does not encourage open communication may create an environment that is more prone to conflict. On the other hand, a leader who promotes collaboration and communication may be able to mitigate or prevent conflicts from occurring.

Consistently, nurses need to be aware of the potential for conflict. Furthermore, they should have strategies in place for managing and resolving conflicts. All conflicts should be resolved professionally and respectfully. This can help to create a positive work environment and ensure that patient care is not compromised.

References

Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2020). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing ethics, 27(1), 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019832950

Ames, M. C. F., & Serafim, M. C. (2022). Multiple Cases of Pro-Life Volunteering in a Neo-Aristotelian Ethical Approach. Revista de Administração Contemporânea, 27. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-7849rac2022210315.en