What influence does cultural diversity have on nursing care? Improving hiring methods to increase the diversity of the medical staff and enhancing the cultural competence of the existing staff through training and exposure to other cultural groups are critically required changes in the field of nursing and other aspects of healthcare as well.
What is Diversity in Nursing?
When we discuss cultural diversity in nursing, we are referring to the diversity of our entire population. If the nursing profession wishes to properly understand and offer equitable care for its patients, its employees must mirror their demographics.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), “diversity refers to a wide array of individual, population, and social characteristics, including but not limited to age; sex; race; ethnicity; sexual orientation; gender identity; family structures; geographic locations; national origin; immigrants and refugees; language; physical, functional, and learning abilities; religious beliefs; and socioeconomic status.”
Why is Cultural Diversity Important in Nursing?
When diverse individuals and families perceive that their healthcare providers reflect them, they typically feel more comfortable seeking care and voicing their concerns. “In the healthcare profession, it is essential for the patient to have representation of their race and culture at the healthcare provider,” said Dr. Maude McGill, Ph.D., MSN, RN-BC, CNE, graduate clinical faculty in Southern New Hampshire University’s online nursing programs. Minority clinicians and educators are mismatched and underrepresented in the healthcare field, based on the current representation ratio.
As with every area of society, representation is crucial. “Diversity in nursing education has multiple dimensions. A sprinkling of diversity here and there is insufficient to demonstrate cultural integration and assimilation. McGill stated that healthcare administrators must take deliberate steps to employ qualified and compassionate minority personnel.
She observed that representation extends beyond the clinical environment. McGill stated, “To generate the diverse workforce recommended by the National Academy of Medicine (previously known as the Institute of Medicine), the learning environment must likewise demonstrate diversity and inclusion to all learners of all cultural backgrounds.” Unfortunately, our learning and workforce settings are not consistent, which leads to disparities in caring behaviors and student and patient experiences.
For example, certain cultures may not stigmatize obesity as much as others. An individual may be more likely to seek care from someone who understands this, which may enhance their propensity to seek related medical advice or comply with instructions. Read also increasing cultural diversity in nursing.
Cultural Competencies for Nurses
What is culture-sensitive nursing care? It implies having personnel with knowledge, training, or, ideally, direct experience of the cultural elements of their patients. This can involve recognizing the effects, requirements, and restrictions of what the patient is willing or able to do while receiving care, based on their ethnic or religious background, beliefs and customs, the autonomy of the body, and willingness to accept medical intervention.
Language hurdles, socioeconomic disparities, lack of health insurance, educational possibilities, and other factors can all influence the medical care decisions consumers make for their families. To better meet the needs of all patients, cultural competency is essential in nursing and throughout the healthcare system. Read also generational diversity in nursing.
Lack of Cultural Diversity in Nursing
Cultural competency can also involve recognizing that some cultures may be resistant to care due to unpleasant experiences and associations with the field.
McGill affirms that this is true in the community of people of color (POC).
“There is such a terrible misconception about how to care for people of color,” she added. “Fifty percent of students (recently polled) believed our skin was thicker and that we did not feel pain like white people. Many Black communities avoid visiting the doctor out of fear that they will not be treated equitably. We recognize that these disparities exist and contribute to the social determinants of health that afflict our patient populations.”
She noted that it is crucial to have Black representation to challenge these myths and disproportionate responses to the situation of patients of color.
Numerous reasons exist for not seeking medical care owing to cultural differences or a lack of diversity in the medical industry. McGill provided a personal experience example. “I do not have time to show my pain. “I’ve driven hours to see a Black doctor as opposed to someone 15 minutes away who doesn’t understand or believe me,” she said. Right there is a barrier to service.
McGill advises seeking allies and those who recognize your humanity beyond your skin color, stating, “These are the people you work with; these are the people with whom you develop a trustworthy relationship. Someone who does not disregard your concern or issue because of their prejudice.”
Perception is a person’s reality, according to McGill, and “as healthcare practitioners, we must take note of a patient’s perception to address the pressing issue of their reality – that’s who you work with; there is frequently the worry of not being understood or of being underestimated.” See also the history of diversity in nursing.
Problems of Perception
In addition to the inherent biases that medical personnel may have against their POC or patients of various cultures, there are also preconceived notions in the opposite direction. To reach a patient community that they may not be a part of, medical personnel must be mindful of ingrained attitudes or unpleasant prior experiences that may hinder patients from trusting or seeking assistance.
Long-lasting historical events can also affect particular groups seeking medical treatment. McGill explained the hesitancy of the Black population to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. The level of confidence and obedience increased only after reaching out to Black community leaders to endorse the immunization.
“Consider the pandemic. Black folks recall the Tuskegee Study, and this is a significant issue with the vaccine and in the community. “I have family that has these views,” she stated. “They depict Black physicians and patients taking it. However, it was not a real person they knew. Then they reached out to Black community leaders, which proved successful. Then it was considered, “Alright, someone who represents me received the vaccine.”
Key to Cultural Diversity in Nursing
Is the field of nursing diverse? There will always be more to learn and additional strategies to promote inclusiveness. The most important conclusion, according to McGill, is that nurses and medical personnel must be receptive to hearing about the values and experiences of their patients and recognize that there is much to learn.
McGill stated that medical professionals must be willing to listen and receptive, highlighting the significance of both qualities. “Oftentimes, we do not listen. Rather than listening to the patient’s situation, some medical personnel already have the answer or plan of care after hearing the symptoms or reading the chart, according to McGill. “Patient-centered care is tailored and encouraged. My headache may require a different treatment plan than yours. Different etiologies result in different treatment choices for the same symptom.”
As a medical professional, you should also be aware when the need for an intervening ally arises, particularly if a patient feels misunderstood or unrepresented. “If you are working in a team and notice a disregard for the voice of a person of color, advocate and speak up. Bring attention to it. Please understand that this person is speaking and wants to be heard,” McGill advised.
This may involve locating staff who are familiar with the patient’s cultural background or sexual orientation – or, ideally, are a part of it – or it may be as simple as providing a translator to ensure that vital medical information is communicated between the patient and doctor without a language barrier causing potentially dangerous results.
“The language barrier, and lack of interpretation, had severe consequences for the patient’s diabetic control,” McGill said. “It wasn’t until the patient was heard that the regimen was corrected and the patient’s quality of life improved.”
What is Cultural Diversity in Nursing Care, and How Can We Increase It?
In accordance with the U.S. The Census Bureau projects that by 2044, more than half of all Americans will be members of a minority group (any group other than non-Hispanic Whites) (U.S. Census Bureau PDF Source). It also states that by the year 2060, one in five U.S. citizens will be foreign-born. If cultural diversity in nursing is to be achieved, this incredibly diverse future patient group must be accurately and broadly reflected. Read also diversity issues in nursing.
Diversity and inclusion in nursing will require a multifaceted approach:
Representation
First, the nursing personnel serving a population must mirror that population. “Representation must come first, followed by dialogue,” stated McGill. While she appreciates the support of her white supporters, their activism can only serve to open the door to the debate. “Representation provides a genuine realism to the discourse and highlights the varied requirements of our diverse patient community.”
McGill also observed that to recruit diverse students to nursing schools, colleges must address their lack of diversity among faculty and staff. Potential students want to see “a person like me” flourishing in this field, she added.
Conversation
The willingness of non-minority staff members to get informed on the difficulties and concerns of their minority colleagues and patients is a crucial element in addressing the discrepancy in diversity. McGill stated that people must be open and responsive to the conversation, as well as unafraid to speak and ask questions.
“Increased exposure to diversity leads to a knowledge of inclusivity, which leads to reactions that break down barriers and biases; responses that are effective, inclusive, and equitable; responses that are truly patient-centered, student-centered, and person-centered,” she added. My skin, your skin, his skin, her skin, and their skin are only three centimeters deep. More things unite us than separate us.
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