Cultural Competency in Advanced Practice Nursing

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Cultural Competency in Advanced Practice Nursing

 United States is a big melting pot and will continue to grow in diverse cultures. It is estimated that by 2044, minority groups will make-up more than half the population in the United States (Joel, 2018). Due to this continued growth of cultural diversity, the patients that advanced practice registered nurses will encounter will consist of many different cultural backgrounds. Health care providers that have cultural competence has been associated with an increase in patient satisfaction and experience (Brunett & Shingles, 2018). Understanding different culture and their values when treating patients is integral in their outcome. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses will not accept blood transfusion due to their religion. By understanding their culture and belief, the provider can come up with alternative ways for treatments and prevention to minimize blood loss such as minimizing blood draws (Rashid et al., 2021). 

        The first step in providing care to patients who are from different cultures is to see if there is any language barrier. If there is a language barrier, a video interpreter (Language Line), real-time certified medical translators, can be used to ensure that the patient understands the conversation. A reason patients can refuse certain treatments is due to not understanding. It is essential for patients to be able to communicate and understand in order to express their concerns/beliefs and be part of their treatment. The APRN should also stay up to date with evidenced-based practices and the practices of cultural groups in order to respect different beliefs while providing quality care. Knowledge of different culture values and beliefs allows the APRN to provide treatments that align with the patients’ culture. The next step is assessing ourselves and our patients. The influence of “our own cultural heritage, experiences, biases, and beliefs” into patient care is important to identify to achieve cultural competence (Joel, 2018, p. 320). By assessing and understanding patients’ belief, their perception of their illness, and needed treatment, “the provider is better able to propose a treatment plan that is compatible with the patients’ cultural beliefs and practices” (Joel, 2018, p. 320). By removing language barriers, staying up to date on evidence-based practices/cultural values, and assessing ourselves and patients, providers are able to provide culturally competent quality care to diverse populations. 

References

Brunett, M., & Shingles, R. R. (2018). Does having a culturally competent health care provider affect the patients’ experience or satisfaction? A critically appraised topic. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 27(3), 284-288. Retrieved Oct 25, 2021, from https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsr/27/3/article-p284.xml

Joel, L.A. (2018). Advanced practice nursing. Essentials for role development (4th Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis

Rashid, M., Kromah, F., & Cooper, C. (2021). Blood transfusion and alternatives in Jehovah’s Witness patients. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 34(2), 125-130. doi: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000961