Nr451 Week 4: Advocacy and Cultural Competence
Nr451 Week 4: Advocacy. This week’s graded topic relates to the following Course Outcome (CO).
CO6: Plans clinical practice activities that integrate professional nursing standards in accordance with the Nursing Code of Ethics and the ANA standards of practice (PO#6).
Go to the link https://www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/clas/standards (Links to an external site.).
View the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards (CLAS) categories aimed at equity and quality care (HHS, n.d.). Notice how these standards overlap with many of the expectations and standards in professional nursing practice!
- In what ways are you and your peers using these standards in your areas of nursing practice?
- Discuss one nursing action you might incorporate to improve cultural competence in your organization.
Nr451 Week 4: Advocacy Answer
The shifting demographic landscape of the United States in recent years has been marked by a growing and increasingly diverse population. Currently, approximately 37 percent of the nation’s inhabitants belong to ethnic and racial minority groups, a proportion that is projected to rise substantially in the coming years (Shen, 2015). Recognizing and addressing this diversity is essential for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to provide culturally competent care.
Cultural competency is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, enabling healthcare providers to navigate the intricacies of diverse patient populations (Porter-O’Grady, 2018). This proficiency is crucial for establishing effective rapport with patients and fostering positive therapeutic relationships. Moreover, cultural competence empowers nurses to conduct thorough assessments, develop comprehensive care plans, and implement nursing interventions that are tailored to meet the unique needs of individual patients.
Shen (2015) advocates for the integration of culturally competent care in nursing practice as a means to bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery. By embracing cultural competence, nurses contribute to equitable and patient-centered care, promoting positive health outcomes and enhancing the overall effectiveness of healthcare services.
References: Porter-O’Grady, T. (2018). Culturally competent systems of care: A challenge for nurses. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 8(7), 92-94. doi:10.5430/jnep.v8n7p92
Shen, Z. (2015). Cultural competence models and cultural competence assessment instruments in nursing: A literature review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(3), 308-321. doi:10.1177/1043659614536858
