Culturally Inclusive Nursing Care: How Can Higher Education Contribute to Quality Practice in the Profession?

• In Event: Environment for Inclusion

Abstract

When a nurse cares for a patient there are expectations by both parties, not only for treatment and management of health but also interpersonal and social needs. For every person there are differences in values, belief systems and cultural practices. Individual nurses vary in how they contextually construct and negotiate care, and not all accommodate or even perceive the presence of cultural differences. The cultural needs of Indigenous people and ethnic groups have not been at the forefront of care in Western countries, including Australia and America. This paper considers how nurses learn to know and see differences in individuals, how cultural insight impacts on quality care, and how higher education providers might develop quality professional practice in this area.

Authors

• Karen Joy Trimmer, University of Southern Queenlsand

• Natalie Goldman, Royal Flying Doctor Service