Introduction
The formation of cultural competence is a significant aspect of professional development in various fields, including nursing. Honing one’s interpersonal and communication skills requires applying extensive knowledge and developed attainments. However, according to Biles (1), personal values promoted by an individual are significantly important criteria influencing the formation of cultural competence. When applied to nursing, this statement is valid and logical since personal beliefs are factors that determine specific positions regarding intercultural interaction.
Significance of Personal Values
Since cultural competence includes a set of skills that allow interacting with other people effectively and understanding their motives and behaviors, the aspect of personal background is of great importance. According to Markey and Okantey (4), for nurses, maintaining a safe care environment is often associated with personal beliefs concerning specific human values. In other words, individual experiences influence the way healthcare professionals perceive certain situations and behavioral aspects. In terms of my personal values, my background has helped me strengthen my cultural competence due to my proper upbringing and good education. As Sharifi, Adib-Hajbaghery and Najafi (7) note, vocational training plays an essential role in shaping attitudes towards responsibilities for the work performed. Cruz, Estacio, Bagtang, and Colet (2), in turn, draw attention to core values that apply not only to nursing personnel but also to representatives of other jobs. In this case, respect for people’s equality, their gender, appearance, religious and political views, and other individual aspects are the key criteria that determine the strength of cultural competence. Therefore, in relation to personal beliefs, one’s background is a crucial factor that largely influences specific opinions.
Correlation Between My Personal Values and Cultural Competence
By combining personal experience with new knowledge, I can improve my cultural competence. At the same time, if it were not for my individual background and, in particular, the principles of upbringing inherent in my family, I would not be able to realize my professional potential as a nurse comprehensively. According to Marzilli (5), a personality and a family are the starting circles that form human ideas about intercultural interaction. This statement is logical since the basic values and ideas about the world, as a rule, are laid during communication with close relatives. Schmidt and McArthur (6) give an example of cultural care and note that nurses’ behavior in the clinical environment is a direct consequence of their individual experiences. Therefore, about the topic in question, team principles of work play a less important role than personal beliefs.
While speaking about my values, I would say that they are not extraordinary. At the same time, I am convinced that a set of such properties as respect for one’s neighbor, mercy, kindness, and other positive qualities are the drivers of cultural competence. In their research, Jeong, Park, Kim, Kim, Lee, and Kim (3) note that education and experience are the main determinants of this phenomenon. I agree with this statement and strive to achieve a level of professionalism when no patients’ peculiarities can be a distraction from the performance of my direct duties responsibly.
Conclusion
Biles’ (1) assertion that personal values influence cultural competence is valid. In nursing, being involved in patients’ lives and following the principles of respect for their personalities are basic requirements for honing interpersonal skills. Regarding my perspective on the problem, I am convinced that my background, along with education, has become significant criteria that have determined my beliefs and values about nursing responsibilities and cultural competence.
References
Biles J. Cultural competence in healthcare: our learning from 2017-2020 will shape our future. Aust Nurs Midwifery J. 2020; 26(11): 20-25.
Cruz JP, Estacio JC, Bagtang CE, Colet PC. Predictors of cultural competence among nursing students in the Philippines: a cross-sectional study. Nurs Educ Today 2016; 46: 121-126.
Jeong GH, Park HS, Kim KW, Kim YH, Lee SH, Kim HK. A concept analysis of cultural nursing competence. Kor J Women Health Nurs 2016; 22(2): 86-95.
Markey K, Okantey C. Nurturing cultural competence in nurse education through a values-based learning approach. Nurs Educ Prac 2019; 38:153-156.
Marzilli C. Assessment of cultural competence in Texas nursing faculty. Nurs Educ Today 2016; 45: 225-229.
Schmidt BJ, McArthur EC. Professional nursing values: a concept analysis. Nurs Forum 2018; 53(1): 69-75.
Sharifi N, Adib-Hajbaghery M, Najafi M. Cultural competence in nursing: a concept analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2019; 99: 103386.