Cultural Diversity

[texasmedicrnj]

I have been a nurse now for 16 years and have not really given much thought into Cultural Diversity. I just completed a course doing my MSN-FNP at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Texas and this has changed my whole view. I think nursing schools should have this class a requirement for ADN's. It is not only taking care of the patient, but the whole family. My research paper was on Native Americans and I have learned so much on beliefs and care they expect.

[Corvus]

In my experience, cultural diversity texts/inservices were preceded by the disclaimer "not everyone who identifies as a member of a cultural group adheres to all practices or beliefs of that group".

My addition would be "no one escapes cultural influence".

[lcprnc]

Hi all,

I thought I'd let you know that 6 CMEs (Continuing Medical Education) on Cultural Competency is now a mandatory requirement for all physicians per NJ Medical Board of Examiners for MD license renewal. I am glad to see this! If you're interested in becoming a facilitator, there is a toolkit that you can obtain but you must complete the entire course at http://ccnm.thinkculturalhealth.org, scoring 70% or better on all posttests. Many of our docs are already taking the class online. I have a feeling that this is coming for nurses as well. I am a big fan of cultural competency for all healthcare givers.

[SharonH, RN]

I've read some cultural diversity literature that I found was full of cultural stereotyping, actually. It painted various ethnic groups with broad brushes, attributing some superstitious cultural beliefs about healthcare to members of these groups.

What I read actually sounded patronizing of certain non-white groups and some of their more quaint folk practises.

I agree. When I was in grad school and we were studying this issue, I was told that among Southern rural Blacks eating dirt is common. Ummmmm....no it isn't. I was raised in as rural of the South as you can get and I never knew anybody who ate dirt. My grandmother lived off a dirt road, there was a cornfield in her backyard and we used to fight for the road with tractors. I know the rural south. There may be SOME Southern rural Blacks somewhere in the south who eat dirt but there they were teaching that it was a common practice. When I protested, I was shot down. What would I know about it?

If you're just respectful and you ask people what they need and want, they will understand. I have taken care of people from all cultures and all races and it's not necessary to know the nuances of each race and culture. It's impossible anyway and it doesn't allow for individual differences. Just be respectful and sincere.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I agree. When I was in grad school and we were studying this issue, I was told that among Southern rural Blacks eating dirt is common. Ummmmm....no it isn't. I was raised in as rural of the South as you can get and I never knew anybody who ate dirt. My grandmother lived off a dirt road, there was a cornfield in her backyard and we used to fight for the road with tractors. I know the rural south. There may be SOME Southern rural Blacks somewhere in the south who eat dirt but there they were teaching that it was a common practice. When I protested, I was shot down. What would I know about it?

If you're just respectful and you ask people what they need and want, they will understand. I have taken care of people from all cultures and all races and it's not necessary to know the nuances of each race and culture. It's impossible anyway and it doesn't allow for individual differences. Just be respectful and sincere.

It's all about meeting people where they are and being kind.

I love taking care of people from other cultures, I give them the space to be who they are and don't try to impose my will on people, and they respond with appreciation. I think if you treat people like intelligent adults they appreciate it.

[CHATSDALE]

the problem with these courses are that they are taught as gospel and the nursing students swallow it hook, line and sinker

you should approach each patient as an individual, some of them may be according to what you have been taught

some i have been asked what i ate at Thanksgiving and Christmas like if i had turnkey and trimming it would be a surprise, however i have had suckling pig and enjoyed it very much also because if i am in someone elses house i can fit in

with adoption be cross culture lines the patient could be visually one race but by family traitions totally different

don't try and put square peg in a round hole unless it is what they want

[shoegalRN, RN]

In my BSN program, we had to give a group one hour long presentation about culture and diversity in a class called Professional Concepts.

I am African American and of course I spoke of my culture. I also emphasized that this part of my presentation does not apply to every member of the African American culture. There are just too many variables.

I was in clinicals and was assigned an elderly white patient, who was 85 years old. I wear my hair natural (no chemicals to straighten it) and it is naturally curly. When I was assessing her, she asked me "Does all colored people have curly hair"? I smiled and politely told her that the term is African American, and no, not all African Americans have naturally curly hair. She said, "oh honey, I'll try to remember the term African American". I was not upset because due to her age, that is what they called African Americans back in her day.

[*LadyJane*]

Hi Nurse2b09,

You probably already know this,but from my experience...

The lady was most likely showing you respect by using the term "colored". That is what my parents taught me to use when I was a small child. It was offensive and rude to say the n word, but showed common courtesy and respect to say colored. This was in the early 60's. Then in the late 60's, the term changed to "black", and now to African American.

Ever since I made friends with a African American woman in a pre-nursing class (we became really close), I could better see my own predjudices, and I was embarrassed by that. Knowing her and her experiences taught me alot, and from then on, I cringe if I hear bigoted talk, as it hurts me because of my girlfriend that I love. I don't allow it around me.

It's my belief that predjudice will retreat once people from different races become friends and learn to love one another. If people can just learn to love one another, the last thing that they'd want to do is to do things to hurt each other, individually or personally. :redpinkhe

I'm doing my part.

[Saifudin]

I am white (not bragging) and a revert to Islam. So, I am a white American Muslim. Where do I and the many like me fit in considering that all Muslims are "Arabs" or Aay-Rabs (as some say) according to some sources.

Cultural diversity is important to greater understanding of one another, particularly in health care.

The Prophet Muhammad said; "Be Merciful to those on earth so the One in the Heavens will be Merciful to You"

[leslie :-D]

The lady was most likely showing you respect by using the term "colored". That is what my parents taught me to use when I was a small child. It was offensive and rude to say the n word, but showed common courtesy and respect to say colored. This was in the early 60's. Then in the late 60's, the term changed to "black", and now to African American.

i still can't keep up with the correct/current terminology.

when i used aa, there were some who got offended at that.

so, i use the generic 'black' term, addressing all those w/dark skin but not necessarily of african descent.

leslie

[Saifudin]

I understand what what you mean. It's easy as a Muslim, we just call each other 'brother' (or bratha or 'bro', depending where your from). But, still, color and nationality is descriptive, if not for anything but distinguishing whose who to someone else. I still wind up saying something like; "you know that black brother" and I assume, I am have been described from the 'rainbow' as well. And I know about terms from childhood! I learned some in yiddish.

In the end, its really about just treating each other with decency and respect.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

i still can't keep up with the correct/current terminology.

when i used aa, there were some who got offended at that.

so, i use the generic 'black' term, addressing all those w/dark skin but not necessarily of african descent.

leslie

I think the current PC term is people 'of color'.

I know what you mean about acceptable terminology changing every 20 years or so. I think this might originate in academia and be promoted in the mass media as the latest, the greatest, and the litmus test for 'tolerance' and 'cultural competancy'.

[leslie :-D]

I think the current PC term is people 'of color'.

i can't worry about being pc.

black, white...sticking to the basics.

leslie