[vickynurse]

I teach in an ASN program and am considering proposing an elective course on the topic of cultural competence. We discuss this in a med surg course, but I would like to take it deeper. Does anyone know of an ASN program with this type of course? I am only finding this type of offering in BSN and MSN programs. Feedback is appreciated.

[Havin' A Party!]

Vicky -- Not exactly clear what's meant by "cultural competence." Can you clarify? Thanks.

[vickynurse]

This is a relatively new term that encompasses care strategies for diverse clients, cultural assessment, cultural barriers, health care beliefs and practices.

[Havin' A Party!]

That's what I thought, but didn't wanna jump the gun.

Even the CNA course I just completed had a section on this. (See "Mosby's Textbook for Long-Term Assistants," by Sorentino.)

Think there'd be a ton of info out there on this topic.

Just about all cultures have their own particular beliefs on treatments, rituals, the role of healers, the significance of disease, death, etc. Should be volumes available on this stuff.

Good luck!

[gwenith]

Haven't taught a course but this link is to SBS which was set up and maintains - under law - provision of multicultural programming and awareness in Australia . It is a very very rich resource for mulitculturalism. Hope this helps.

[suzanne4]

This is one of the main topics of my program over here in Bangkok. If there is anything that I can help you with directly please send me a PM.

[teeituptom]

My hospital has a daylong program on trans cultural awareness. So far I havent gone.

Cant you tell.

[barb4575]

Vicky,

I hope you received that brief cultural handout that I faxed to you and that it helps.

Barbara

[Kyriaka]

Hi Vicky,

I just wanted to say that I think this is an excellent idea.

I can give two major examples where a lack of understanding in this area caused a problem. One is my own case.

First, let me say that I am going back to school to change careers. I will be getting a BSN and will be working critical care burns. I am a former burn patient (60% burns). Eventually I want to teach Bioethics.

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian. When I was in the burn center family & friends would bring in icons. One of the staff tried to have them removed from my room with the impression that these "religious" items were bad for me! That is totally not true! NEVER EVER remove these items. If they need to be moved because they are in the way, ask someone of the family (or Priest) to move them to a differant location.

I do know of a case of an Iranian girl who needed to be cather. Her parents were educated. However, a woman's anatomy is just not discussed in islamic countries. The family refused. The reason?? They thought a bladder cath. would "deflower" her. This was a major concern to them because returning to their own country she could be put to death for this "crime" (even if a medical procedure). The head nurse was brought in. They would not speak with her because she was a women. So a male nurse had to explain to the men of the family.

[VickyRN]

Originally Posted by vickynurse

I teach in an ASN program and am considering proposing an elective course on the topic of cultural competence. We discuss this in a med surg course, but I would like to take it deeper. Does anyone know of an ASN program with this type of course? I am only finding this type of offering in BSN and MSN programs. Feedback is appreciated.

We have no such course in our ADN program. However, respect for all different cultures/ religious expressions is woven throughout our 5 semesters of curriculum. We have also been enriched with multicultural students in our program: we have had student(s) from Zimbabwe, the Philippines, England, and other 'far-away' lands. We have to be careful how to phrase test questions: for instance, one test question included the term "Cracker Jacks" with which our international student was unfamiliar.
This may be of some help:
http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc3...R%3AResult&ao=

"Thoughts on cultural competence. (President's Message).(Brief Article)


Nursing Education Perspectives; 7/1/2002; Zungolo, Eileen



Commitment to the tenets of respect for all people and providing care that is based on thoughtful and sensitive assessment of their needs is the hallmark of nursing. The extent to which this can be achieved for individuals from the international community, who present with an array of values, beliefs, and patterns of behavior that may be alien to most American nurses, is dependent on our appreciation of the complexity of the analysis required.

AS THE "MELTING POT" OF MODERN SOCIETY, the United States has long been associated with diversity of peoples--ethnic variety, racial multiplicity, religious mixtures--and the complexity of values these represent. Within the profession of nursing, we have embraced a commitment to providing care to people who represent diverse value systems and to exploring ways in which the various needs individuals present can be assessed and managed within the health care system.

While these goals are laudable, I fear that we may have become somewhat glib. This is an era of globalization characterized by high mobility of populations. Our commitment to the provision of culturally competent care to all people may not be realistic. Indeed, if it is realistic, it is appropriate to ask at what level of authenticity this goal can be achieved.

It is simply not possible for any one person to be cognizant of all of the intricacies and need patterns that all cultural groups bring to daily life. Further, the way in which these needs change or are altered in health and disease increases that complexity by quantum leaps. One need only look at the pioneering work of Madeleine Leininger in the identification of culture care values, linguistic meanings, and action modes to discern the massive body of knowledge that is needed to fully provide culturally responsive care.

Commitment to the tenets of respect for all people and providing care that is based on thoughtful and sensitive assessment of their needs is the hallmark of nursing. The extent to which this can be achieved for individuals from the international community, who present with an array of values, beliefs, and patterns of behavior that may be alien to most American nurses, is dependent on our appreciation of the complexity of the analysis required.

While the provision of culturally sensitive care to individuals entrusted to us in health services is a complex task, the demand is equally onerous and equally fraught with problems for faculty members working with students from multiple cultures. In addition to considerable variation in values and beliefs, cultural differences are also reflected in "ways of thinking." Academic standards developed to provide educational markers within a western framework may be alien to students who learn at different paces, use language in ways atypical to institutions of higher education, and communicate in unique styles.

Fostering the learning of students from other cultures is a demanding, time-consuming challenge for the profession that must be met. The development of a corps of culturally diverse professional nurses is the ingredient needed to assure the continued expansion of the knowledge base of our profession.

Reference Leininger, M. M. (2001). Selected culture care findings of diverse cultures using culture care theory and ethnomethods. In M. M. Leininger (Ed.), Culture care diversity and universality:A theory of nursing (pp. 345-371). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett/National League for Nursing.

COPYRIGHT 2002 National League for Nursing, Inc."