Nursing Reflection: Cultural Safety and Future Practice Implications

This assignment is a critical reflection by a nursing student on the importance of cultural safety in healthcare, particularly in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The student addresses the challenges of healthcare access, highlighting the impact of cultural insensitivity and discrimination. The reflection emphasizes the need for nurses to provide culturally competent care, showing respect and dignity to all patients. The student outlines strategies for improving practice, including conducting background research on cultural beliefs, using effective communication techniques, involving patients and their families in decision-making, and advocating for patient rights. The assignment demonstrates an understanding of the NSQHS standards and the role of nurses in promoting culturally effective care delivery and improving patient outcomes.

Running head: NURSING
NURSING
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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How will you rise to the challenge and implications for your future practice as a health
professional?
Maintenance of cultural safety forms an integral aspect of rendering positive and
effective care delivery. Research studies in this regard have stated that lack of cultural
competence and poor consideration of cultural and ethnic preferences have contributed to
reduced access to health care services (Goldman & Trimmer, 2019; Coffin, 2007). According
to a report published by Noble et al. (2017), it has been mentioned that the access to primary
healthcare services for the community members of the Aboriginal and Torres Islander is less
than 52%. The primary reason that was reported comprised of cultural discrimination being
practiced by care professionals (Best & Fredericks, 2017). Further, another important factor
that resulted in reduced access to healthcare facilities included the significant influence of the
pre-existing influence about superstitions and traditional medicinal therapies and a negative
notion about medical interventions.
As a nursing professional, I would treat indigenous patients (patients belonging to
aboriginal and Torres Islander community with dignity and respect. Further, I would ensure
that the practice is compliant with the standard 2 of the NSQHS standards, which stresses
upon the maintenance of a positive therapeutic relationship with the client
(Safetyandquality.gov.au, 2019). The standard further expects care professionals to be
considerate about the specific cultural background and preferences of the patients and devise
an effective care plan to acquire positive care outcome (Safetyandquality.gov.au, 2019). As a
nurse, I would conduct a background research on the aboriginal culture so as to develop an
effective understanding about the existing cultural beliefs. Further, while dealing with an
aboriginal patient whose first language is not English, I would arrange referral to an
aboriginal RN so as to ensure that the patient feels comfortable. Apart from this while
interacting with aboriginal patients, I would effectively make use of non-verbal gestures,

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show empathy and effectively communicate using simple language so as to ensure that the
patient is able to understand my instructions and is able to respond in an effective manner.
Also, I would actively include the patient and the family members of the patient in the
treatment related decision-making process so as to ensure that the planned care intervention is
aligned to the needs and specific cultural preferences of the patient. Further, I would also
advocate the rights of the patient and escalate any instance which breeds disrespect for the
patient within the healthcare setting. Also, I would empower the patient and the family
members of the patient by providing them health literacy about advanced medical
management services available so as to counter their existing belief about traditional
medicines and this can be expected to promote a culturally effective care delivery.

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References:
Best, O., & Fredericks, B. (2017). Yatdjuligin: Aboriginal and torres strait islander nursing
and midwifery care. Cambridge University Press.
Coffin, J. (2007). Rising to the challenge in Aboriginal health by creating cultural
security. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 31(3), 22.
Goldman, N., & Trimmer, K. (2019). Towards a Culturally Inclusive Model of Care: Quality
Practice and Care Through the Lens of a Practising Nurse. In Ensuring Quality in
Professional Education Volume I (pp. 123-149). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Noble, N., Paul, C., Walsh, J., Wyndham, K., Wilson, S., & Stewart, J. (2019). Concordance
between self-report and medical records of preventive healthcare delivery among a
sample of disadvantaged patients from four aboriginal community controlled health
services. BMC health services research, 19(1), 111.
Safetyandquality.gov.au (2019). The NSQHS Standards | Australian Commission on Safety
and Quality in Health Care. [online] Safetyandquality.gov.au. Available at:
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards [Accessed 30 Aug.
2019].