An Analysis of the Impact of Culture on Nursing Practice

This essay delves into the significant impact of culture on nursing practice, emphasizing the crucial role of cultural competence and responsiveness in delivering effective patient care. It explores how cultural factors influence communication styles, perceptions of space, family involvement, religious beliefs, and time orientation, highlighting the need for nurses to be culturally aware, sensitive, and skilled. The paper underscores the importance of transcultural nursing principles, advocating for the integration of cultural considerations into care plans to address diverse patient needs and promote holistic well-being. The essay concludes by emphasizing the necessity for nurses to combat stereotypes and prejudices through culturally inclusive practices, ensuring patient health is prioritized by negotiating and respecting cultural differences.

1Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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Culture has been indicated to be a significant factor in determining healthcare
preferences guiding care practices. The requirement for upholding transcultural nursing is
therefore undeniable. The impact of culture on nursing practice has gained immense attention
while care givers strive to use analytic skills for planning, designing and implementing care
plans. It is vital for nurses to be culturally knowledgeable, culturally skilful, culturally aware,
and seek cultural encounters. Acknowledging the cultural differences between patients who
come from diverse backgrounds, and between healthcare professionals is imperative for
delivering comprehensive care (Giger 2016). The present paper discusses the impact of
culture in nursing practice. The aim is to explore the ideas of culture and professionalism and
understand the importance of culturally competent and culturally responsive practice.
Culture is kept alive by communication, through both verbal and nonverbal means.
However, most nurse professionals face challenges while engaging in effective
communication with the patients. Communication modes tend to show increased variation
between cultures. While some patients might be speaking standard English other might not.
The language also differs depending upon social class, ethnicity and region. Non-verbal
communications play an important role for a certain section of the patient population. For
example, some patients would use different non-verbal modes of communication to put
forward their concerns. Eye contact is regarded as a sign of honesty and trust, and it is a
norm. Emotional expression also varies between cultures. It is important for a nurse to
understand these aspects and respect them. Nurse might also find that a certain group of
patients have a cooperative attitude and answer all questions raised by nurses. Such patients
believe in expressing their concerns and pain as a response is expected early. Effective
communication with healthcare professionals from same or different fields allows for
discussions that form the basis for the therapeutic plan. Against this backdrop nurses must
undergo training for cultural competency and improve own skills for representing the patient

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and advocating for him, as well as negotiating a plan with other professionals and
recommending strategies. Maturity is to be shown by concise and slow speaking, politeness,
simplicity and civility (Douglas et al. 2014).
Karatay et al. (2016) highlighted that space is a crucial aspect while dealing with a
diverse group of patients. Invasion of personal space is a concern while interacting with
patients. Territoriality is the attitude and feeling towards the personal area of an individual.
All patients have their own territorial behaviour. Violation of the intimate space of the patient
or feelings of territoriality leads to discomfort for a patient and eventual refusal of the patient
for receiving treatment. While some populations need personal space, some prefer minimal
physical contact with the care giver. Gender, however, plays a role in this respect as women
tend to seek care from female professionals and same for men. In such a case a nurse must
take the lead given by the patient. This implies that if the patient is not keen on physical
contact, such form of contact is to be avoided. The boundaries of coming in contact with the
patient are to be respected.
Jeffreys (2015) argue that social organisations of a patient and the value of culture in
the individual’s life are to be understood by a nurse. For example, Americans view their
family members as providers of care for sick behaviour and administration of medications.
Members of the family act as an important part of healthcare planning. It is common for them
to get adequate support from family members and discuss important issues with them. Owing
to this reason nurse must engage the family members of the patient in the process of outlining
care plan for the patient. Shen (2015) in this regard states that a nurse must have high
sensitivity towards religious practices and beliefs of the patient and the family members. It is
the duty of the nurse to not impose nay personal beliefs on the patient under any
circumstances. The nurse must be in quest of knowledge at the fundamental level. Exposure
to different cultures is a suitable learning mechanism.

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Religious beliefs and dependence on traditional healing systems have come into
limelight time and again. Spiritual beliefs and religious sentiments play a key role in the
recovery process for many patients. Religious practitioners like the priest, ministers, and
rabbis are made to address heath related issues. Some patient populations consider religious
objects and rituals in their care process. It is also to be noted that end of life choices are
influenced greatly by religion (Cherry and Jacob 2016). Having known this fact, nurses must
give thoughtfulness to the preferences of the patients before deciding on the final care plan
that would address all physical health needs and emotional needs of the patient. The authors
further state that different cultures have different notion of clock time and time elapsing.
Understanding this leads to cultural sensitivity. In this respect it is also to be pointed out that
cultures vary among the different health professionals working in collaboration with each
other. Conflicts are common to occur when approaches used by nurses vary among
themselves due to cultural beliefs that are dissimilar. However, conflict resolution is
important as patient care is the prime focus. Nurses are to elaborate on the significance of
cultural differences between two professionals and work together simultaneously being
mindful and respectful of cultural viewpoints.
Environmental control has a profound effect on the patient's definitions of health and
illness. The holistic paradigm is very much into existence in certain cultures. Spiritualistic,
homoeopathic, and scientific elements are intermixed in such practices. Nurses are to remain
familiar with these features and must not disrespect the patient's view of the accountability
and power of these holistic healing approaches (Black 2016).
In conclusion, one can state that cultural sensitivity and cultural awareness have a
profound impact on nursing practice when it comes to combating stereotypes and prejudices.
Cultural competency works through culturally inclusive and holistic care practices that
adhere to patient care guidelines existing on prevention of stereotypes and inequalities. A

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nurse is to remember that since the focus in on the enhanced recovery and well being of the
patient, all the aspects that guide better patient outcomes are to be included in the care plan,
encompassing culture. The rationale behind this is that the health status of a patient is
influenced directly by his culture. Chances are scarce that healthcare would be sufficient
exclusive of adjustment, negotiation and respect for cultural differences. Transcultural
nursing care has indicted cultural competency to be an accepted standard which all nurses are
to maintain as a duty.

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References
Black, B., 2016. Professional Nursing-E-Book: Concepts & Challenges. Elsevier Health
Sciences. Missouri.
Cherry, B. and Jacob, S.R., 2016. Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management.
Elsevier Health Sciences. Missouri.
Douglas, M. K., Rosenkoetter, M., Pacquiao, D. F., Callister, L. C., Hattar-Pollara, M.,
Lauderdale, J., ... and Purnell, L. 2014. Guidelines for implementing culturally competent
nursing care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 25(2), pp.109-121. Sage Publications. New
York.
Giger, J. N. 2016. Transcultural Nursing-E-Book: Assessment and Intervention. Elsevier
Health Sciences. USA.
Jeffreys, M.R., 2015. Teaching cultural competence in nursing and health care: Inquiry,
action, and innovation. Springer Publishing Company. New York.
Karatay, G., Bowers, B., Karadağ, E.B. and Demir, M.C., 2016. Cultural perceptions and
clinical experiences of nursing students in Eastern Turkey. International nursing
review, 63(4), pp.547-554. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford.
Shen, Z., 2015. Cultural competence models and cultural competence assessment instruments
in nursing: a literature review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(3), pp.308-321. Sage
Publications. New York.

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Appendix
The present module has been valuable in terms of educating me on the prospects of
transcultural nursing. On completion of the module, I have gained immense knowledge on
aspects of transcultural nursing such as cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity which are
to be integrated into practice by all nurses. Analysing the topic of the impact of culture on
nursing practice I have developed the knowledge of how the culture of patient population as
well as that of other healthcare professionals are to be considered while delivering high
quality care in a setting. I believe that care is the fundamental element of all therapeutic
regimen, especially nursing care. The care process, however, varies among different people
depending on their values, beliefs, culture and morals. I now understand the importance of
providing culturally relevant care for serving the patients better and promoting their wellness.
In future, I would ensure that I adhere to the principles of transcultural nursing and motivate
my peers to do the same. I would also ensure to engage in continual research to possess a
culturally-sensitive knowledge and skills for providing care to all patients that are culturally
congruent. This would guide my professional development at the fundamental level.