Working with culturally diverse colleagues
DIVERSITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Cultural conflicts and communication problems may
impact interactions between nurse colleagues and other
member of the health care team.
A. Identified differences in values, point of view,
language and personal preferences among those
that RNs, LPNS and nursing assistants in a work
group might experience.
B. nurses who are foreign-born and educated bring
with them their own cultural values about the
meaning or work, beliefs about being a health care
provider.
C. Generational diversity (veterans, boomers, xers
and millennials)
BARRIERS TO CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTION
▪ Limited number of culturally diverse nurses
▪ Lack of gender diversity, cultural differences,
racial discrimination, differences in interaction
styles
▪ Lack of cultural self-awareness and sensitivity
"Because race and gender are unchangeable aspects of
one's identity, their impact on work experiences depends
to a great degree on the perceptions and reactions of
others."
STRATEGIES FOR POSITIVE INTERACTIONS
▪ Awareness
▪ Avoid making Assumptions
▪ Learn About Other Cultures
▪ Build Trust and Rapport
▪ Overcome Language Barriers
▪ Educate Patients About Medical Practices
▪ Practice Active Listening
Spirituality
“Spirituality connotes the way we orient ourselves to the
divine, the way we make meaning out of our lives, the
recognition of the spirt (breath). Within us, a cultivation of
a lifestyle consistent with this presence, and a perspective
to foster purpose, meaning, and direction to life"
MONISTS
▪ Believe in the interconnectedness of all of creation
and the need to collectively strive toward a higher
level of consciousness.
THEISTS
▪ Believe in god as an independent creator that
sustains all of creation.
▪ Also believe that people are empowered to make
choices as unique individuals, while living
cooperatively with others during this physical
existence in preparation for the next life.
HUMANISTS
▪ View spirituality as an intangible, innate, and
mysterious attribute of all humans that provides
meaning and a reason for existence
▪ Humanists share a belief in a connectedness, but
the object of the connection may vary with
individuals and may or may not be attached to a
belief in god
Purnell (2013) defines spirituality as "all behaviors that
give meaning to life and provide strength to the individual"
“Spirituality is a vital human experience shared by all
cultures. Spirituality helps bring balance to mind, body, and
spirit.”
A thorough assessment of spiritual life is essential for the
identification of solutions and resources that can support
other treatments
Some practices may interfere with spirituality can hinder
physical recovery and promote illness.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPIRITUALITY
▪ Nurses can be instrumental in enhancing patients'
ability to cope with illness by fostering a positive
spiritual connection between themselves and their
patients.
FACTORS INFLUENCE THE NATURE OF ONE'S
SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING INCLUDES:
▪ One's developmental stage of life
▪ Family relationships
▪ Cultural beliefs
▪ Religion, and various life events
Patients who are experiencing any physical or emotional
illness also encounter spiritual distress
Listening, sympathizing and responding meet the needs of
the human spirit for love, understanding, meaning,
purpose, and hope
Nurses need a "working knowledge of the major religions
and their laws on health and illness, customs, cleanliness,
suffering, and death."
CARING FOR MUSLIM PATIENTS
TOPIC: prayer
RELIGIOUS PRACTICE: Muslims are required to pray five
times each day; they should face mecca while doing so.
Time of prayer changes with the seasons; accompanied by
changes in body positions; floor covered by prayer rug or
clean material
NURSING IMPLICATIONS:
▪ Suggests careful listening to assist patients in
answering their own spiritual questions.
▪ To ensure that each patient receives holistic,
culturally competent, and evidence-based care,
the nurse must take the spiritual and/or religious
nature of the individual into consideration as care
is being provided.
▪ The nurse provides support to ameliorate the
situation so that patients can better cope
IMPORTANT POINTS
▪ There are important differences between
spirituality and religion.
▪ It is important for nurses to be mindful of their own
spiritual well-being if they are to be effective in
delivering spiritual care to their patients.
▪ Not all patients are religious, but everyone is in
need of spiritual care, even those who are
agnostic or nonbelievers.
▪ Providing spiritual care involves listening to
patients for spiritual clues and assessing for
spiritual despair.
▪ Spiritual care includes seeking a spiritual advisor
of the patients choosing, praying for and with
patients and providing space and time for private
prayer.
 SPIRITUALITY RELIGION
Is its tendency to be internalized and used by the Also considered "a specific system of values and
Individual as a resource for inner strength and direction Beliefs and a framework for ethical behavior that its
For one's life. Members must follow.
A central aspect of spirituality is hope, it serves as a
"means for coping with major stressors."
Has no doctrines Relies on doctrines and rules
Is internal Is external
Is inclusive Is exclusive