Culturally Sensitive in Nursing

What is meant by culturally sensitive nursing care and how does it apply to nursing? In order to understand culturally sensitive nursing care you must first understand culture and cultural diversity. Culture guides our thinking, doing and being, and becomes patterned expressions of who we are (Canadian Nurses Association, 2004). Knowledge of cultural diversity is important in all areas of nursing because it comes through communication and education between clients and nurses. Culturally sensitive nursing care recognizes the need for respect and acknowledgement of the wholeness of all human beings, regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, heritage, religion – everyone has a unique background. Culturally sensitive nursing care is a required factor that must be practiced. It is significant in order to care and understand importance to the patient, resulting in comfort for the family as well as the patient. Providing the necessary care is not the only value to a strong outcome, but communication and developing a strong client, nurse relationship. Here are just a few things to remember when in the hospital setting and you get a certain patient with a different religion.

First Nations

· They are very spiritual

· They believe in 4 sacred medicines: tobacco, sage, cedar, sweet grass and the natives “smudge” together for cleansing.

· Calming stones

· Healing wheel symbolizes The four parts of a person: mental (mind), physical (body), spiritual and emotional

Jehova Witness

· They don’t celebrate birthdays, halloween, christmas, easter

· They do not accept blood transfusion

· New concept of bloodless transfusion available

Caribbean Culture

· They give marijuana to their babies for disease prevention

· Respect their practices, lower class people of this culture may not be used to hospitals.

· Always ask if they are on herbal medicine, they can refuse any medication prescribed.

Hinduism

· They believe to heal ones self by herbs

· Tradional medicine, prayer and herbs are their healing beliefs

· Some will not eat eggs and refuse garlic and onion

· They do not watch tv or talk to someone while they eat!

Latin Americans

· Religion and tradition plays a large part on their medical choices

· Food defines their health – well balanced meals, never avoid food

· Shamon- natural healing

Greek

· Dancing is very important in Greek culture

· They never eat fish or dairy on Wednesdays or Fridays

· When they are ill they withhold from fish and dairy

· “blessing oil” is used to detox and cleanse body

· Priest visits and large families will come to the hospital

Muslim

· Some reject modern medicine

· The nurse must allow for Muslims to pray 5 times a day at certain times

· If a Muslim dies in a hospital the nurse cannot touch the body until the family comes , patient must be wrapped in white clothe, head must be turned toward the right shoulder

· They cannot eat alcohol, pork, animals that have died from natural causes, blood or carnivores

Reference

Canadian Nurses Association. (2004). Promoting culturally competent care. Ottawa, ON: Author.