Nurses must be prepared to provide care for patients from all walks of life. Although the practice of nursing is based on practice, theory, and research, nursing professionals must also have a strong foundation in the concept of culture to care for their patients properly. Nursing students who take transcultural nursing courses are prepared to provide culturally appropriate care for each of their patients.
What is Transcultural Nursing?
Transcultural nursing is a form of nursing that uses the concept of culture to interact with patient. This nursing specialty focuses on health, comparative cultural caring, and global cultures. This area of practice and study seeks to provide care with an emphasis on cultural values that focus on groups or individuals of different or similar cultures.
The need to gain a global perspective of the nursing profession is the reason that transcultural nursing courses were created. Since the world is interdependent, it is important to incorporate healthcare that addresses the needs of those from across the world. Transcultural nursing combines transcultural and international content to train nurses. The course focuses on teaching nursing students about nursing in different countries, international health organizations, cultural differences, and international health issue.
The goals of transcultural nursing is to teach nurses to provide culturally equal nursing care, provide cultural specific nursing care for those with adverse human conditions, promote universal nursing care for the well being of all people, and care for the gravely ill in a culturally appropriate manner.
How Nurses use Transcultural Nursing of the Job
Nurses who provide transcultural nursing care for their patients are nursing professionals who study the relationships of cultural care from the point of view of professional nurses. As transcultural nurses, they provide safe, competent, and knowledgeable nursing care for those in diverse cultures. By studying the similarities and differences of diverse cultures, nurses can provide nursing care to all human groups.
Nurses use transcultural nursing in a number of ways on their jobs. The first thing that they need to know is the religion, language, and cultural heritage of their patients. This information can be helpful to determine if any of their cultural or religious beliefs are the root cause of their current medical conditions. Some people may exercise their right to use home remedies based on their cultural beliefs, and these remedies may have lead to their illness. It is the transcultural nursing knowledge that can prevent the patient’s condition from worsening.
Certain religious and cultural groups do not believe in ingesting certain medications that may contain ingredients that are prohibited in their particular religious and cultural groups. Nurses use their transcultural nursing skills to identify these aspects of their cultures and religions to prevent violating their beliefs.
Some cultures believe that the male is the dominant figure and should provide medical treatment to patients. Nurses need to know this information so that they can make the adjustments needed to care for these patients.
Nurses also use transcultural nursing when caring for the mental health of their patients. They need to know that certain cultures believe that certain mental conditions take place because of a lack or religions harmony, and these individuals may not believe that factors other than medical treatment and therapies can alleviate their bodies of these mental conditions. It is important to understand the diverse religions and cultures of each patient to provide care that does not violate any of their cultural and religious beliefs.
Tips on How to Study for Transcultural Nursing in Nursing School
The diverse cultural and religious groups create a need for nursing students to understand how these groups operate to provide nursing care. Here are a few tips that can help students prepare to study for transcultural nursing examinations.
- Study various cultures and religions. It is easy to find information on other cultures and religions to prepare for the course exams. The Internet, novels, and special groups can all provide insight on various cultures and religions.
- Volunteer to provide transcultural nursing care. The best way to learn about transcultural nursing is to volunteer in medical facilities. Nursing student can learn from the patients and the experienced nursing staff.
- Create diverse study groups. Study groups that consist of those from diverse groups can provide some insight on transcultural nursing content. Nursing students can use each other as study tools.
Transcultural nursing provides specialized care for a diverse group of people. The course prepares nurses for the difficult task of providing care and treatment for those with varying religious and cultural health needs. Nursing students are prepared to work in medical facilities across the world providing diverse nursing care.