Many different definitions exist for culturally related terms. Models such as the Campinha-Bacote model, Giger and Davidhizar model, Papadopoulos, Tilki, and Taylor model, Leininger’s Cultural Care Diversity and Universality theory and model, and the Purnell model identify the importance of understanding the patient’s culture into the nursing process. What value to the role of the nurse or advanced practice nurse does a cultural model of nursing provide when used in education, practice, and administration?
A cultural model of nursing provides significant value to the role of the nurse or advanced practice nurse when used in education, practice, and administration. It offers a framework that guides understanding and promotes effective communication with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. This is crucial in nursing, as culture plays a central role in shaping individuals’ beliefs, values, behaviors, and healthcare practices. By incorporating a cultural model of nursing into their approach, nurses can enhance their ability to provide culturally competent care, improve patient outcomes, and foster positive patient-nurse relationships.
In education, a cultural model of nursing enables nurses to develop the knowledge and skills needed to care for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through cultural competency training, nurses learn about the various cultural factors that influence healthcare, such as beliefs about health and illness, communication styles, and treatment preferences. This knowledge helps nurses to better understand and respect the unique needs of their patients, allowing them to deliver care that is sensitive and appropriate. Additionally, a cultural model of nursing equips nurses with the tools to critically analyze their own cultural biases and assumptions, promoting self-reflection and continuous learning in the field of cultural competence.
In practice, a cultural model of nursing provides nurses with a systematic approach to gathering cultural information, assessing patients’ cultural needs, and incorporating this knowledge into their care plans. For example, the Campinha-Bacote model of cultural competence outlines five essential components: cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural encounters, and cultural desire. When integrated into practice, this model empowers nurses to develop a deeper understanding of patients’ cultural backgrounds and engage in meaningful cultural encounters that promote effective communication and trust. By tailoring care to individual cultural needs, nurses can ensure that their interventions are culturally sensitive, respectful, and aligned with patients’ beliefs and preferences.
Furthermore, a cultural model of nursing enhances the role of advanced practice nurses in administration. By implementing culturally competent policies and procedures, advanced practice nurses can promote equitable healthcare delivery and address disparities among diverse patient populations. This includes advocating for the integration of cultural competence training in healthcare organizations and establishing systems for ongoing assessment and improvement of cultural competency within the workforce. By prioritizing cultural competence in administration, advanced practice nurses can contribute to creating a healthcare environment that values diversity, promotes inclusivity, and enhances patient outcomes.
Overall, a cultural model of nursing provides a structured approach to understanding and integrating cultural factors into the nursing process. It emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in education, practice, and administration, and empowers nurses to provide care that is respectful, responsive, and effective. By incorporating a cultural model of nursing into their work, nurses can bridge cultural gaps, promote positive patient outcomes, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.