As nurses, we have the ability to use compassion and genuinely want the best for our patients.\u00a0 We understand our patients and want to help them find the best treatment that will help them.\u00a0 There are also nurses and doctors who do not exercise cultural competence in what the patient\u2019s beliefs and wishes are.\u00a0 As nurses, we have to validate our patients\u2019 feelings of fear of not being able to provide for their families.\u00a0 \u00a0Many hospitals have case managers who focus on the hospital losing money and allow patients to treat at their facility but if they do not have insurance, they are very quick to send them elsewhere.\u00a0 Many times when this happens, these case managers that are gatekeepers, are not thinking of the patient\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n
Social workers and nurse case managers are the peacemakers in these delicate situations, involving patient advocacy.\u00a0 \u00a0 A good nurse case manager will identify the problem right away and diffuse it so that the focus is back on the patient.\u00a0 \u00a0Sometimes our culture in America imposes our beliefs on others thinking that they have to accept a specific method of treatment, but the reality is patients have a choice.\u00a0 If a choice is explained well to someone, they will make the right decision. \u00a0We as healthcare providers have to explain things to the patient and family to help them understand and make an informed decision.<\/p>\n
The skill that the staff needs to learn about caring for patients from other cultures is to remember that we as healthcare providers have to be sensitive to someone\u2019s beliefs or culture.\u00a0 Just because they do things differently does not mean it is wrong, it is just different.\u00a0 We as healthcare providers have to be respectful (Barr & Dowding, 2012).<\/p>\n
Cultural expectations were seen in my previous job while I was the manager of a team of nurses and social workers.\u00a0 There was a manager from England and then there was myself,\u00a0 of Hispanic background.\u00a0 \u00a0The majority of my team was from a different culture.\u00a0 \u00a0There was a nurse on my team who was great, but she spoke with a thick island accent, however her patients loved her.\u00a0 The other manager like myself was from England. During a case presentation, the other manager stated how hard it was to understand her and she should not present again. \u00a0I stated that was not a fair statement because she presented cases and her skills and case were valid.\u00a0 \u00a0The other manager did not reply to my statement verbally but she made herself known by challenging everything I said in the future.\u00a0 It is instances like this that discourage people from staying in jobs.<\/p>\n
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