The Importance of Cultural Competence in Nursing Education and Practice
Introduction
Cultural competence forms the foundation of a strong nurse–patient
relationship. Every nurse should prioritize it in their care, as it not only
enhances patient outcomes but also supports the professional growth of nurses.
Nursing is more than technical expertise; it is a career dedicated to caring
for the sick, developing treatment plans, supporting the elderly, and more. The
most effective nurses combine clinical skill with cultural competence, making
them responsive to diverse patient needs (The Chicago School, 2020).
The American Association of Health Education defines cultural competence
as the ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, and beliefs shaped
by diverse cultural backgrounds. It requires appropriate consideration and
responses to differences in planning, implementing, and evaluating health
education programs. For nurses, cultural competence is essential to safe,
effective, and empathetic care.
Educational institutions, particularly universities and colleges in
health sciences, must integrate cultural competence into nursing curricula.
Doing so ensures that student nurses recognize its importance and are prepared
to deliver high‑quality care to patients from diverse backgrounds.
Why Cultural Competence Matters in Nursing
- Enables
nurses to provide care that respects patients’ beliefs, values, and
cultural practices.
- Builds
empathy and deeper connections with patients.
- Reduces
stress and anxiety for patients, especially when nurses share language or
cultural understanding.
- Enhances
overall therapy and care outcomes (The Chicago School, 2020).
Stages of Cultural Competence
According to Pappas and McKelvie (2021), cultural competence develops
through three stages:
1. Culturally Incompetent – limited awareness of cultural
differences.
2. Culturally Sensitive – recognition of differences and willingness to
adapt.
3. Culturally Competent – consistent application of knowledge, skills, and
attitudes in practice.
Each stage involves three dimensions:
- Cognitive
(thinking)
- Affective
(feeling)
- Psychomotor
(doing)
Core Components of Cultural Competence
Scholars identify five building blocks of culturally competent care
(Tortumluoglu, 2006; Bacote, 2003):
1. Cultural Desire – motivation to learn about and engage with other
cultures.
2. Cultural Knowledge – seeking information about diverse groups to
understand beliefs and practices.
3. Cultural Skills – ability to conduct culturally specific
assessments and communicate respectfully.
4. Cultural Encounters – direct engagement with patients from diverse
backgrounds to refine competence.
5. Cultural Sensitivity/Awareness – self‑reflection on one’s own
cultural biases and attitudes.
Practical Applications
- Faith
and Religious Beliefs: Nurses must respect patients’ decisions,
even when they decline treatments due to religious convictions (Maryville
Online, 2017).
- Social
and Economic Sensitivity: Understanding
socioeconomic influences helps nurses avoid assumptions and tailor care
appropriately.
- Trust
and Respect: Building trust is essential for effective
treatment planning and patient cooperation.
- Ongoing
Education: Hospitals and universities should provide
regular cultural training to strengthen awareness and sensitivity among
nurses.
Conclusion
Cultural competence is not a one‑time achievement but a lifelong
learning process. By embracing cultural desire, knowledge, skills, encounters,
and sensitivity, nurses can deliver care that is safe, respectful, and
effective. Integrating cultural competence into nursing education ensures that
future professionals are equipped to meet the needs of increasingly diverse
patient populations.
References
•
The Chicago School
(2020). The importance of cultural competence in nursing. [online]
Insight Digital Magazine. Available at: https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/health-care/the-importance-of-cultural-competence-in-nursing/.
•
Pappas, S. and McKelvie,
C. (2021). What Is Culture? | Definition of Culture. [online] Live
Science. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html.
•
Discover Corps (2017). The
Importance of Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness. [online] Volunteer
Vacations | Discover Corps. Available at:
https://discovercorps.com/blog/cultural-sensitivity-awareness/.
•
Maryville Online.
(2017). Cultural Sensitivity/Awareness in Nursing. [online] Available
at: https://online.maryville.edu/blog/cultural-sensitivity-and-awareness-in-nursing/.
•
Alvernia University
(2019). A Guide to Culturally Competent Nursing Care. [online] Alvernia
Online. Available at:
https://online.alvernia.edu/articles/culturally-competent-nursing-care/.
•
Tortumluoglu, G. (2006).
THE IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSCULTURAL NURSING MODELS IN THE PROVISION OF CULTURALLY
COMPETENT CARE. undefined. [online] Available at:
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/THE-IMPLICATIONS-OF-TRANSCULTURAL-NURSING-MODELS-IN-Tortumluoglu/ff10cd526cacaac2131cbe2e274c6ca05605cbf6
[Accessed 1 Jul. 2022].
•
BACOTE,J. (2003)
CULTURAL DESIRE The Spiritual Key to Cultural Competence BY, JCN/Volume 20,
Number 3 pp(20-22)