The ultimate goal of nursing is to serve people and assist them in any situation they encounter. As a result, nurses have a responsibility to care for clients and respond to all of their needs. One of the key elements of patient-centered care is cultural competence and the necessity to understand various aspects associated with being brought up in a certain cultural environment.
The course allowed me to discover the concept of cultural sensitivity, which helped me to comprehend the importance of culture in nursing. Cultural sensitivity constitutes an ability to respect cultural differences and avoid judging people based on their behavior (Billings & Halstead, 2019). Another concept which I found to be extremely relevant was cultural skill which is the capacity to gather vital cultural data (Billings & Halstead, 2019). The course significantly changed my perception of culture in the nursing environment because previously, I believed that cultural aspects rarely affect patients’ behavior. Yet, now I understand that nurses can considerably improve experiences of their clients by being familiar with their cultural characteristics. Maintaining cultural competence is essential for delivering excellent nursing care to patients, yet to do it, it is important to develop a sound strategy. My strategy for applying cultural competence involves three steps, namely, studying aspects of different cultures, respecting differences, and adapting to every patient’s needs. Following these three steps will help me to apply my cultural competency and ultimately improve it.
The course has changed my understanding of the role of culture in nursing, and it encouraged me to continue enhancing my skills. The important concepts of cultural sensitivity and cultural skill will guide me in my practice and will stimulate me to deliver patient-centered care. Nursing competence can be applied by following a strategy which involves respecting cultural differences and considering them when caring for patients.
Reference
Billings, D.M., & Halstead, J.A. (2019). Teaching in nursing e-book: A guide for faculty. Elsevier Health Sciences.