Introduction
Nursing, like other areas of health care, is rapidly undergoing changes brought about by the development of technology and shifts in the social and cultural landscape. The scholars guiding these changes recommend improving nursing practice and education, as well as expanding the nurse’s role in health care. Furthermore, the social and cultural shifts deserve special attention and corresponding policy changes aimed at underrepresented and emerging groups within the population. Ultimately, the future of nursing requires closer cooperation with other specialists and a stronger focus on the cultural and a stronger focus on the cultural and community sides of health care.
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care
Diverse cultures are represented among the populace, each with its unique perceptions and understanding of health and illness. Health care providers need to ensure that they can offer care that is appropriate to these cultures and languages (Wilson-Stronks, Lee, Cordero, Kopp, & Galvez, 2008). This can include providing translated materials and making interpreter services available and accessible when necessary.
However, this strategy also suggests that the nursing staff should be diverse, with bilingual specialists being particularly valued (Wilson-Stronks et al., 2008). Thus, the hospital’s workforce can better respond to the needs of a similarly diverse population needs, which directly improves its cultural competence.
Establishing Collaborations
As the nursing profession expands to include closer cooperation with other specialists, nurses should play a more significant role in the organization’s policy-making. Wilson-Stronks et al. (2008) suggest that interprofessional collaboration can be directly leveraged by “diverse individuals across the organization should be involved, representing a range of different departments, positions, [and] professional levels” (p. 40). Furthermore, collaborations can be established not only within a hospital but between organizations, facilitating the distribution of information relevant to serving diverse populations (Wilson-Stronks et al., 2008).
Such collaborations would also allow sharing specialized skills more effectively when required. Initiatives like this enable and encourage diverse specialists from different fields to work together, improving patient experiences and, ultimately, outcomes.
Improve Nursing Education
Education plays a crucial part in a nurse’s general competence. Multiple sources recommend encouraging life-long learning, that is, ensuring that further education opportunities are open. Some of these opportunities can be aimed directly at improving one’s cultural competence and sensitivity skills. Study abroad programs and international or internal service-learning programs are two similar methods that allow a learner to immerse themselves in a different culture, increasing their crucial cultural skills (Kohlbry, 2016).
The latter kind of program differs in allowing the participant to be directly involved in patient care in a different cultural setting. This allows him or her to naturally observe, understand, and internalize that culture’s perceptions of health, illness, and health care. Therefore, a nurse will be better prepared to respond to patients’ needs in a culturally appropriate way.
Conclusion
To adapt to the needs and expectations of an increasingly diverse population, nursing, as a field of health care, will need to undergo significant changes. As the nurse’s role as a care provider and liaison to patients becomes more significant, so should his or her involvement in the hospital decision and policy-making processes. Furthermore, as more cultures and traditions become represented among the patients, care must be taken to ensure that culturally and linguistically appropriate care is available to them. This can be achieved through education initiatives that focus on improving a student’s cultural sensitivity and competence and provide opportunities for further training of these skills as a part of lifelong learning.
References
Kohlbry, P. W. (2016). The impact of international service-learning on nursing students’ cultural competency. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(3), 303–311. Web.
Wilson-Stronks, A., Lee, K. K., Cordero, C. L., Kopp, A. L., & Galvez, E. (2008). One size does not fit all: Meeting the health care needs of diverse populations. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: The Joint Commission.