On the Job Diversity, Research Paper Example

Diversity in the workplace is a global phenomenon and the successful treatment of patients is often the result of the nurses’ knowledge regarding the beliefs and practices of the cultures they encounter so that they can develop a relevant plan of care to assist each individual. Diversification has significant implications within the nursing profession due to the rapidly changing demographics of society and the patients and the lack of responsive changes within the nursing profession, as most members of the nursing profession continue to be of Caucasian descent (Sanner et al., 2010). As the demographics for the United States shift towards increasing diversity, it is essential that this is mirrored in the field of nursing and that they are able to provide culturally competent care by demonstrating cultural sensitivity (Sanner et al., 2010). Diversity in nursing staff is especially important because it enables the nurses to provide culturally competent care and makes them more effective in establishing rapport with patients so that they can accurately assess, develop, and implement nursing interventions designed to meet patients’ needs (Lowe & Archibald, 2009). As indicated by Flowers (2004), following a model for developing cultural competence should include cultural awareness, knowledge, skill, encounter, and desire and should nursing staff avoid stereotyping a patient based on appearances or assuming that they belong to a “particular culture or ethnic group on the basis of characteristics such as outward appearance, race, country of origin, or stated religious preference” (p.51). Nursing professionals should value diversity, have the capacity for cultural self-assessment, be conscious of the dynamics that may occur through cultural interactions, have institutionalized cultural knowledge, and have developed adaptations of service delivery reflecting an understanding of cultural diversity, all of which should permeate the entire organization, including policies, procedures, and attitudes (Cultural Diversity, 2008).

References

Cultural Diversity. (2008). Cultural Competency. Retrieved from: http://www.culturediversity.org/cultcomp.htm

Flowers, D.L. (2004). Culturally Competent Nursing Care A Challenge for the 21st Century. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Critical Care Nurse, 24, pp.48-52. Retrieved from http://www.cconline.org

Lowe, J. & Archibald, C. (January-March 2009). Cultural Diversity: The Intention of Nursing. Nursing Forum, 44(1), pp.11-18.

Sanner, S. et al. (2010, Summer). The impact of cultural diversity forum on students’ openness to diversity. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 17(2), pp.56-61