Cmc Diversity

The concept of cultural diversity is very near and dear to my heart, especially since I am of a mixture of races. Growing up in a Cuban/Jamaican household has definitely posed challenges for me throughout my life journey. Now, as a nurse I have a better understand on how cultural diversity can play a huge part in patient care. As the world is changing and people are marrying cultures together, it is imperative that we become sensitive to the needs of others in a world of diverse backgrounds.

Hickling, F.W. (2012). Understanding Patients in Multicultural Settings: A Personal Reflection on Ethnicity and Culture in Clinical Practice. Ethnicity & Health, 17(1/2), 203-216. Doi:10. 1080/ 13557858.2012 655266. Retrieved from: Ashford University Library

We live in a very diverse nation and overcoming challenges related to cultural beliefs and preferences is a very common obstacle for health care workers today. In an article in The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing cultural diversity is defined as being more than just race,

As a working nurse on an acute behavioral health unit, emergency department, case management, cultural awareness is crucial when treating a diverse population of patients. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH), cultural competence is, “is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and skills that enables nurses to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (Garcia, 2007, p. 1). It is important for nurses to deliver culturally competent and appropriate care to patients due to the perpetually growing culture of diversity. My workplace is located in Orange, California. Demographically, the city is made up of 47 percent Caucasian, 38 percent Hispanic, 11 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 1 percent

With the inclusion of cultural competency, healthcare practices have seen improvements in interpersonal patient-provider relationships, better retention of patients throughout the full plan of care, and are better able to address specific health issues that predominantly affect minorities (ie. cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disease). In the absence of cultural competency, healthcare providers run the risk of patient dissatisfaction and miscommunication that can lead to wrongly stereotyping and generalizing patients, inadequate patient plans of care, and even malpractice claims noting the provider’s negligence in meeting “professional standards of care” (National Center for Cultural Compliance). In (video), a healthcare provider mentions the importance of “treating all individuals with the same respect and dignity”, which is valuable. But what is even more valuable and more forward-thinking is not treating individuals the same, but treating them with the mindset that “yes this person is different, so I need to provide them a unique, individualized treatment plan that respects their cultural values and also gives dignity to the individual’s right upholding their beliefs while improving

Encountering a fast growing aging nation, the U.S. government strives to create the cultural competence of medical care providers for this to lower health inequalities. The overall rising number of the older adult population exemplifies a cultural icon within itself. The proportion of older adults from ethnic and racial minority groups is projected to increase exponentially by 2050, with the largest growth rates being among Hispanics, followed by Asian-Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and African Americans. During the year of 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau stated that 19 percent of the U.S. population that is aged 65 years and older would be considered as a minority. In 2050, 39 percent of the countries older adults will be denoted by minority groups. For these predictions, organizations should incorporate community outreach. This will help in studying the population and learning who are the most efficient resource individuals within the ethnic groups. Also, they can predict the need and demand for alliances or affiliations so that when families get there, the health care organizations can be more organized and be prepared to give pertinent services and resources. Organizations can reach out to religious groups to help engage workers, trainers, or religious leaders who has a better understanding of the individual’s cultural back and they can also help in educating employees in the distinctions of working with them to display respect (Lehman, D., Fenza, P., &

Fostering a culturally sensitive and diverse environment is a crucial part of providing a quality health care service. By making patients of all cultures feel more welcome when

As a nurse strive to provide culturally sensitive care, they must recognize how their client's and their perceptions are similiar as well as different. Nurse enhance their ability to provide client-centered care by reflecting on how their beliefs and values impact the nurse-patient relationship. To provide appropriate patient care, the nurse must understand her/his culture and that of the nurse profession. Cultural biases can be particularly difficult to identify when the nurse and client are of a similar cultural backgroup. When we recognize and know a culture, we will know what is right for our patient, and thus may impose our own values on the client by assuming our values are their values. Recognizing differences a

Although it is imperative as a professional healer to extend warmth and empathy towards all patients, it is unrealistic to believe that cultural misunderstandings, prejudice, conflicting values, etc. will not galvanize tense interactions in the midst of working in a healthcare setting. While this may be a daunting reality, cultural competence is an obtainable characteristic that every professional within this field should continuously strive for through their treatment of all patients, at all times, and in every imaginable setting.

The acceptance and respect for diverse cultures comes from being aware of what goes on between the people of a particular culture. “Cultural awareness is the appreciation of outer signs of diversity such as the music, dress, arts and physical characteristics” (Purnell, 404). Being respectful and open to different cultures isn’t just about appreciation the beauty of the people and their beliefs, it is also about having the knowledge to be able to communicate and care for patients of another culture. Cultural competence takes in thought the patients beliefs and practices, not just the external views of a culture. In order to be competent as a health care professional, one must be able to deliver care accordingly for a patient’s culture. Not only, do they have to obtain the knowledge, abilities and skill to treat the patient effectively, but they must also choose their words carefully. Since cultures differ from patient to patient, one must accept that before they open his/her mouth. Every culture has a different way of speaking, not necessarily a different language, but a way of talking to one another. Health care professionals must be sensitive to what they say to their patients. Certain things like “You have to take your medicine or you could die” may be offensive to someone who doesn’t have the same culture that you are used to. Without this cultural sensitivity health care providers can make patients feel very uncomfortable or

In order to show the sensitivity to the different ethnic nursing home patient, staff should have the knowledge of their backgrounds. It is true that it is difficult for the elderly to change with the “time” and adapting to the new culture or environment. It creates difficult situation when a patient do not understand what their health care provider is telling them and the health care provider do not speak the client’s language. As a result, quality of care can be compromised. I face this challenge every day at my work. In my initial patient assessment, I try to find out how they wished to be called. I try to assess my patient’s special needs, about their culture, language, preference of religion or food etc. When I am taking care of an Asian

As a healthcare professional it is important to be aware of the complex issues that shape the healthcare field. One of the major topics that have raised concern in healthcare is diversity. Diversity is having people of different race or different cultures together in a group or organization. Diversity extends beyond race and culture and encompasses differences related to age, gender, sexual orientation, education, income, social status, and so on (Blais & Hayes, 2016). Every healthcare organization has patients with diverse background whether it is healthcare workers or patients.

The evolution of the human being is constant and multidimensional. We are always shifting, as individuals and as a society, quickly or slowly, biologically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The differences among us create a mosaic-like society, rich in diversity and culture. Arnold and Boggs (2016) define culture as a complex social concept, which encompasses socially transmitted communication styles, family customs, political systems, and ethnic identity held by a particular group of people (p. 113). It is what brings people together, and it is also what sets them apart. Cultural diversity is broad in the sense that ‘culture’ can include our religion, gender, sexual orientation, history, education and traditions and beliefs. For decades, healthcare leaders and educators have recognized that cultural barriers between healthcare providers and patients might interfere with the effective delivery of health services (Saha, Beach & Cooper, 2008). In this paper, I will explore the importance of being cultural sensitivity in the nursing practice, and how a nurse can become culturally competent. I will use gender diversity as an example of the application and importance of cultural sensitivity in the therapeutic relationship.

The premise of Madeleine Leininger ‘s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality is that one must regard his or her patient both holistically and with respect to the patient’s given cultural background. Leininger aims to establish a nurse-patient relationship in which communication and collaboration are culturally congruent. Via such interactions, a nurse can hypothetically deliver individualized, culturally competent care. However, while Leininger’s theory has many benefits and clear applicability in a multicultural society, its execution may fall short due to the predominating social norms and values held by larger society.

How can nurses successfully work with and care for the nation's increasingly diverse patient population? Here are some general guidelines: Don't make assumptions, explain every detail to the patient, ask about alternative approaches to healing, withhold judgments, and accommodate and educate. To deliver truly culturally competent care, "We have to look at where our patients are coming from and what their ideas of wellness and illness are," Hasenau says.