Leininger’s nursing theory – founded by Madeleine M. Leininger in the 1960s – is a care standard that can be rightfully considered one of the most culturally competent ones in the modern world. Times, when the white man and their body were the main points of reference for nurses in designing the appropriate concepts of care, are long gone. Leininger recognized that it was not a reasonable approach as far back as the 1950s, which became the foundation for her theory’s development.
There is no arguing that care is the essence of nursing and, thus, must be culturally substantiated. That stands true in the 21st century especially, with the world becoming more and more culturally diverse with each passing year. McFarland (2021) notes that Leininger’s theory’s importance is in facilitating beneficial and meaningful patient outcomes – such that only care that is culture-specific able to provide, which I view as extremely important. Moreover, what is essential to me as well is that there is a major difference between those who abide by the theory and those who do not. A fascinating instance of that is provided by Kamariyah et al. (2021), whose study has shown that almost all respondents with poor development of the theory’s model had their health at least partially impaired. Whereas, when it comes to those who had a good theory development, a level of health was undisturbed for a majority of respondents (Kamariyah et al., 2021). That makes one think that Leininger’s theory knowledge and commitment to it is essential to one’s health and, subsequently, providing care for others.
Furthermore, if an establishment is to prioritize being well suited for any person in need – that is, to be of service to multicultural and multiethnic populations – they are to utilize Leininger’s approach. My goal as an advanced nurse is to work in such establishments only since, in my opinion, it is a nurse’s responsibility to recognize that care cannot be exclusionary. Quinn and McDonough (2019) cite Jackson Health System – based in Miami, Florida – as an example of a system that offers care to those asking for it. That must be the standard that any organization positioning itself as a high-class one should strive to implement.
References
Kamariyah, N., Khamida, K., Nurjanah, S., Zahroh, C., Hasina, S. N., & Afiyah, R. K. (2021). Leininger’s theory developed through mentoring students and community leaders to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(T6), 184-188. Web.
McFarland, M. R. (2021). Madeleine M. Leininger: Theory of culture care diversity and universality. In M.R. Alligood, Nursing Theorists and Their Work E-Book (pp. 334 – 353). Elsevier.
Quinn, B. L., & McDonough, A. (2019). Nursing theory in hospital models of care. The American Journal of Nursing, 119(12), 11. Web.