Cultural Question

Yes, it's about organ donation.

A Puerto Rican coworker of mine, a long while back said Hispanics don't donate organs.

Is this generally true? Or is she steorotyping her own culture?

[RNbeach, ASN, RN]

As a Hispanic, and 1/2 Puerto Rican at that...I believe she is stereotyping our culture!

Maybe.... she should say in Puerto Rico, citizens are not really aware of the importance of organ donation!

[Q.]

I have never heard of that. My unit served primarily Hispanics, so much so we had a bible on the Hispanic culture.

And if that were true, I don't see how their culture could allow acceptance of donated organs. Either they agree with it or they don't.

[Katnip, RN]

Maybe she was thinking of a religious context? There used to be a misunderstanding that Cahtolics can't donate organs. It's my understanding that most Hispanic folks are Catholic (not meaning to stereotype here) and it may be that her particular churchmen are still teaching anti-transplant?