Cultural Sensitivity In Nursing

7 Pages 1646 Words

n to the cultural group they are working with. This role of ‘Observer’ is also extended towards the nurses own culture. By examining their own cultural beliefs and values, the nurse will be more aware of how their own culture may be inadvertently imposed upon the cultural identity of the patients they care for. Leininger defines this tendency of nurses to dominate their clients cultural identity as ‘Cultural Imposition’. (Cooney, 1994)

Leninger considers that cultural differences are scientifically identifiable and that it is important to discover parallel beliefs between a patient’s cultural values and those of Western medicine in order for the patient to respond positively to nursing care delivery. Therefore, it is essential for individual nurses to have a scientific knowledge base covering a range of different cultures so that they can respond therapeutically to the needs of their clients.

Leininger argues that the essential goal for health professionals working with a cultural group different from their own, is to initially determine the dominant cultural values, priorities and characteristics of that group and then decide how best to assist them. (Cooney, 1994)

Cultural Safety:
In...