Cultural Influences
Community nurse educatior
What factors should a community nurse educator consider when planning a health promotion program for a minority group who does not speak English.
Culture has been defined as "the shared values, traditions, norms, customs, arts, history, folklore, and institutions of a group of people." Understanding culture helps us to understand how others interpret their environment. The first step is for the nurse to become aware of her own cultural self-awareness. After this the community nurse educator needs to be aware of how to approach a minority group. An interpreter should be used to ensure that the health promotion is understood by all. The nurse needs to find out about the patients customs, beliefs, values and any self-care practices.
Educational materials in the native language will be useful to present information to the client. Providing illustrations as well as written translations are beneficial to non-English speaking clients. The nurse also needs to be in tune to the health needs of the client base. The CDC reports that cancer is the number 1 health disparity in the Hispanic culture. In the US most people diagnosis with cancer do consult their family members but ultimately make decision of what they will do. In the Hispanic culture family members are more likely to be involved in the treatment and decision-making process for a patient. Allow for several family and friends to participate in a consultation, and communicate with the group. It is important to note also that the Hispanic culture is big on respect one way that they show that is by not maintaining eye contact. In the American culture we view that as “hiding” something.
The main thing the nurse needs to understand is the culture that she will be addressing. After that she needs to incorporate their beliefs, customs and values into her presentation.
Management Science for Health. (2010). The Provider’s guide to quality & culture. Retrieved from
What factors should a community nurse educator consider when planning a health promotion program for a minority group who does not speak English.
Culture has been defined as "the shared values, traditions, norms, customs, arts, history, folklore, and institutions of a group of people." Understanding culture helps us to understand how others interpret their environment. The first step is for the nurse to become aware of her own cultural self-awareness. After this the community nurse educator needs to be aware of how to approach a minority group. An interpreter should be used to ensure that the health promotion is understood by all. The nurse needs to find out about the patients customs, beliefs, values and any self-care practices.
Educational materials in the native language will be useful to present information to the client. Providing illustrations as well as written translations are beneficial to non-English speaking clients. The nurse also needs to be in tune to the health needs of the client base. The CDC reports that cancer is the number 1 health disparity in the Hispanic culture. In the US most people diagnosis with cancer do consult their family members but ultimately make decision of what they will do. In the Hispanic culture family members are more likely to be involved in the treatment and decision-making process for a patient. Allow for several family and friends to participate in a consultation, and communicate with the group. It is important to note also that the Hispanic culture is big on respect one way that they show that is by not maintaining eye contact. In the American culture we view that as “hiding” something.
The main thing the nurse needs to understand is the culture that she will be addressing. After that she needs to incorporate their beliefs, customs and values into her presentation.
Management Science for Health. (2010). The Provider’s guide to quality & culture. Retrieved from