“Cultural competence is a combination of culturally congruent behaviors, practice attitudes, and policies that allow nurses to use interpersonal communication, relationship skills, and behavioral flexibility to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). It is important for nurses to be able to provide culturally compettent care to ensure a therapeutic nurse-patient relationsihp and allow for best patient outcomes. I live in rural Iowa, approximately thirty minutes from the Nauvoo, Illinois mormon temple. During the summer months especially, my community sees an influx of individuals who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and often times they are on missionaries or they are children are here from across states for summer camp. One of the biggest cultural differences regarding health care with this population is that they do not receive blood products or blood transfusions. I think one of the biggest assumptions that occur with this population is that they not only refuse blood transfusion but also refuse other medications or treatments that would be part of another individual’s plan of care. An article I found regarding caring for patients who are Jehovah Witness’ suggests that “reducing the frequency of testing and the size of the blood sample tube can reduce iatrogenic blood loss” (Kulvatunyou & Heard, 2004).
“Nurses who strive to become culturally competent respect individuals from different cultures and value diversity” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). It should be the nures primary goal to identify whether any cultural, religious, or ethnic barriers are present. If these barriers are identified, the appropriate steps should be taken to ensure the patient feels that their care is not being compromised by assumptions or inadquately trained staff. Each patient deserves respectful and competent care, wether they are of different heritage or not.
Kulvatunyou, N., & Heard, S. O. (2004). Care of the injured jehovah’s witness patient: Case report and review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia,16(7), 548-53.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinane.2004.02.002
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2014). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (8th Rev. ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier.
Please respond to John’s post:
The hospital I work at provides care to many Jewish patients. The Jewish culture has many beliefs when it comes to religion and health care. A BSN trained nurse needs to be tolerant and aware of the many cultural differences while providing care. A culturally aware nurse recognizes that health is expressed differently across cultures and that culture influences an individual’s response to health, illness, disease, and death (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014, p. 147). Sometimes a nurse’s beliefs or ignorance toward an individual group can come off as offensive or rude causing the patient not to listen and understand about their health. It is vital that a nurse becomes knowledgeable about the community that they provide care for and their cultural beliefs.
In the Jewish culture, some patients require specific “Kosher” diets that have prohibited foods like pork and gelatin (Ehman, 2007, p. 1). Jewish holidays (Passover, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashannah) are very important to their community, and a Jewish patient may schedule medical procedures around them as not to interfere with worship (Ehman, 2007, p. 1). Some Jewish holidays prevent them from using tools or using electricity; this can keep them from using call lights and the use of the beds during these times. Some people and medical professionals may not understand Jewish forms of practice and may not provide proper care that the patient requires. A BSN trained nurse would be educated and aware of the restrictions the holidays and diets require and be able to accommodate the special needs of this type of patient.
In health care there are many different cultures and many different beliefs. A nurse needs to be able to respect others beliefs and wishes even if they are not their own. In order to understand our patients, we need to be educated about our patients. I feel a BSN trained nurse is prepared on cultural differences and aware that even if not their own belief it is not wrong.
References
Ehman, C. (2007). Religious Diversity:
Practical Points for Health Care Providers. Retrieved February 2, 2016, from http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoral/resed/diversity_points.html
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2014). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (8th Rev. ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier.
