Importance of Understanding Cultural, Ethnic, and Gender Differences by Managers and Other Professionals
The majority of hospitals have come to realize that staffs from various ethnic and cultural back-grounds, as well as those of different gender bring a great deal of value perspective. With more and more patients being of different cultural backgrounds, and ethnicities, it is due to this reason why hav-ing a clear understanding of cultural , ethnic and gender differences among hospital professionals is given the backup it deserves. (Dennis & Small, 2003).
Managers in particular within the hospital setting must make certain that the nursing unit is running smoothly and that patient care is of the highest concentration. Cultural, ethnic or gender mis-understandings can impede associate satisfaction trickling down to patient care. It is therefore im-portant when hiring different healthcare associates that the manager keeps in mind the importance of making the hospital unit as diverse as possible by making sure there is a balance of different cultures, ethnicities and genders. Some changes are being seen in the nursing profession due to increased education of cultural diversity to nursing staff. “Fortunately, attitudes are changing. Nursing managers in hospitals must creating workplace and educational programs to help nurses overcome discriminatory feelings they may consciously or unconsciously hold toward colleagues or patients." (Rob & Douglas, 2004).
Diversity means people from different races, religions, cultural backgrounds or genders. People who have experienced different racial backgrounds, or who grew up in different religions or different cultures or even as different sexes can have a different way of looking at the patients, and patient needs. If everyone has grown up in the same way, with the same education and within the same culture, then many of those people tend to think alike and to approach patient care and needs in similar ways. This isn't necessarily wrong or a bad thing, it just means that limitations exist and the needs of the patients
Managers in particular within the hospital setting must make certain that the nursing unit is running smoothly and that patient care is of the highest concentration. Cultural, ethnic or gender mis-understandings can impede associate satisfaction trickling down to patient care. It is therefore im-portant when hiring different healthcare associates that the manager keeps in mind the importance of making the hospital unit as diverse as possible by making sure there is a balance of different cultures, ethnicities and genders. Some changes are being seen in the nursing profession due to increased education of cultural diversity to nursing staff. “Fortunately, attitudes are changing. Nursing managers in hospitals must creating workplace and educational programs to help nurses overcome discriminatory feelings they may consciously or unconsciously hold toward colleagues or patients." (Rob & Douglas, 2004).
Diversity means people from different races, religions, cultural backgrounds or genders. People who have experienced different racial backgrounds, or who grew up in different religions or different cultures or even as different sexes can have a different way of looking at the patients, and patient needs. If everyone has grown up in the same way, with the same education and within the same culture, then many of those people tend to think alike and to approach patient care and needs in similar ways. This isn't necessarily wrong or a bad thing, it just means that limitations exist and the needs of the patients
References: Dennis, Betty Pierce. Small, Ernestine B. (2003). Incorporating cultural diversity in nursing care: an action plan. Retrieved on May 2, 2012, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MJT/is_1_14/ai_98250419/?tag=content;col1. Robb, M. and Douglas, J. (2004). Managing diversity. Nursing management, 11: 25-29 US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2009, http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov.