1. Chapter 12
Considering Culture

2. What Is Culture?
Unique characteristics that are shared: symbols, rituals, rules, and other learned behaviors
A family is one type of cultural group
Culture is not the same as ethnicity
Health care has its own culture and subgroups
Nursing culture

3. Population Mosaic of the United States
Cultural trends of the United States
The population is growing
The emerging majority of people of color
Growing Latino population increases cultural and language challenges for nurses
Requires ability to meet needs for more diverse population
Requires more awareness of cultural, social, and religious needs

4. Population Mosaic of the United States (cont’d)
Cultural trends of the United States
The population is aging
Population continually getting older
Need sensitivity to the culture of aging
Gerontological nursing as a specialty
Poverty
Income is directly related to health
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Poverty has its own culture: sense of helplessness and hopelessness

5. Population Mosaic of the United States (cont’d)
Cultural trends of the United States
Gender roles and human sexuality
Increasing opportunities for women
Increased opportunities for the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) population
Role model and promote acceptance of these cultural changes

6. Personal Cultural Competency
A basic expectation of nursing
Awareness and acceptance of cultural differences
Need to develop awareness of own culture before understanding others'
Culture is the accumulation of someone's life and makes people who they are
One member of a group not the same as the next

7. How to Develop Culturally Competent Care
Care that meets the cultural beliefs of an individual
Eight descriptors to define cultural competence:
Integration
Understanding
Respect
Communication
Sensitivity
Dignity
Knowledge
Acceptance

8. How to Develop Culturally Competent Care (cont’d)
How to develop personal cultural competency
Cultural desire
Cultural awareness
Cultural knowledge
Cultural skill
Cultural encounter

9. Barriers to Cultural Competency
Ethnocentricism
Cultural imposition
Cultural blindness
Stereotyping
Prejudice
Racism
Cultural conflict
Cultural shock

10. Common Ethnic Groups in the United States
European Americans: 77% of population
Native Americans and Alaska Natives: 2%
African Americans: 14%
Asian Americans: 6%
Hispanic Americans: 17.6%
People can identify themselves as part of multiple ethnic groups
Each cultural group holds its own health beliefs
Some common health issues within groups

11. Cultural Assessment
Used to obtain the information needed to provide culturally competent care
Basic cultural assessment, overall questions
What makes you sick?
What do you do when you are sick?
What makes you better?

12. Cultural Assessment (cont’d)
Basic cultural assessment, more detailed questions
What is your primary language?
What special foods are necessary for healing?
What is your family situation?
What is the role of family in your health beliefs?
What are your spiritual beliefs related to illness, wellness, and death?

13. Hiring and Managing a Diverse Workforce
Organizational values and management policies should include diversity
Diversity in hiring process
Maintaining diversity
Diversity and quality care
Concept of inclusion
Relationship between diversity and inclusion

14. Nurse Managers and Culture
Need to understand significance of culture on two levels: patient care and personnel management
Share the unit's cultural philosophy when recruiting
Educate employees about culturally competent care
Embrace diversity of staff