Cultural Diversity

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ER/ICU/Nursing Administration.

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.

Specializes in Acute Care.
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.

I just finished my RN last December and we had to learn about different cultures and how they would react in a healthcare settings

(e.g. Asian cultures may not look at someone in the eye as a sign of respect)

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

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.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I agree - the appreciation and celebration of cultural differences is absolutely essential to nursing. We need to understand how others perceive the illness experience and try to stop 'Westernizing' everything. However, I am a bit disturbed that JlsRn seems to be equating race with culture..

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

Although race may be a cultural characteristic, it is certainly not a determinant.... We sometimes forget that there is no "one" white culture. Scandinavians and Irish? Red Necks & Cajun? Stereotyping happens when we least expect it - and doesn't apply to only one race.

My dad happens to be Norwegian - his family certainly had a ton of "quaint folk practices". I guess it just depends on who's writing the book, doesn't it?

Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

Cultural consideration was highly emphasized in my ADN program.

They haven't touched on cultural diversity in our ADN program as of yet. However, being in DC, the employers make it a big point to cover it. My NH has had no less then 3 different inservices over it in the last year.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Pretty much, except for their stereotyping of those 'backward' Appalachia folk, the people talked about in the cultural diversity literature are non-white. Basically what I read attributed some pretty superstitious practises to most of them. They don't mention educational levels, but describe all people in that ethnic or racial group as practising the same things.

I'm all for learning cultural nuances, but I didn't like the stereotyping that went along with what I read. It made the white Americans seem like the only sensible people around, with everyone else practising voodoo...

Specializes in ER/Trauma, research, OR.

In my ADN program we were required to take cultural diversity as a core class, not part of nursing. My class was led by a former "Black Panther" he only focussed on black culture and the black struggle.

When I got to my BSN, the cultural diversity is a nursing course. This class focussed more on all cultures except the white culture. I was given a failing grade for an opinion paper about my upbringing towards race. The instructor commented I "was racist and had no business touching people."

I nearly quit right their. The only thing I learned from her was how to regergitate her words. I was so angry that following the class I went to her boss and ultimately to the Dean of Nursing. I was given a public apology but it still hurts that I must respect everyone else's culture, but my own culture has no respect.

Also how can you fail an opinion paper? I answered every point and even added several that I explored. Unfortunately she is still terrorizing new nurses to this day.

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.

I absolutely agree. My school's ASN program requires a cuktural diversity class for enrollment into the program.

Specializes in CNA.
except for their stereotyping of those 'backward' Appalachia folk, the people talked about in the cultural diversity literature are non-white.

I suppose it never occured to the people who wrote your course that even "white americans" and european immigrants are highly diverse. I'd like to see someone teach Americans about the diversity of European culture and practices. Just because we all have fair skin doesn't mean we are all the same.

I suppose it never occured to the people who wrote your course that even "white americans" and european immigrants are highly diverse. I'd like to see someone teach Americans about the diversity of European culture and practices. Just because we all have fair skin doesn't mean we are all the same.

That's because Cultural Diversity wasn't started to teach minorities about 'white Americans.' It was to teach the 'white American' about the minorities in our country.

Should more cultures be included? Now, yes. That wasn't the original intent though.

Specializes in ER/ICU/Nursing Administration.
I agree - the appreciation and celebration of cultural differences is absolutely essential to nursing. We need to understand how others perceive the illness experience and try to stop 'Westernizing' everything. However, I am a bit disturbed that JlsRn seems to be equating race with culture..

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

Although race may be a cultural characteristic, it is certainly not a determinant.... We sometimes forget that there is no "one" white culture. Scandinavians and Irish? Red Necks & Cajun? Stereotyping happens when we least expect it - and doesn't apply to only one race.

My dad happens to be Norwegian - his family certainly had a ton of "quaint folk practices". I guess it just depends on who's writing the book, doesn't it?

rbezemek, I could not agree with you more. That is what I mean, nurses want to see culture thru their own beleifs. We have to step aside and not only understand and research a persons culture to provide quality care, but also respect their beliefs and wishes even if it is not what "we" think is best. Thanks for your input.

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