Theoretical Foundations Of Nursing Roles And Practices: Case Study

Grand Canyon University
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Roles and Practices
NUR-502
November 5, 2014
Addressing Cultural Diversity in Professional Communication

The face of America is changing due to the growing number of immigrants. Nurses must be able to assist patients from all over the world, and embrace their cultural differences. Leininger and McFarland defined “Transcultural Nursing” as the study and practice focused on comparing the differences and similarities of cultural beliefs and values to provide better healthcare experience. (Leininger & McFarland, 2002) In 2000 United States census, 12.5% of population identified themselves as Hispanics. (CDC MMWR, 2004) The Centers for Disease Control reported that Hispanic
women are underserved. (Eggenberger, Grasslet, & Restrepo Phd, 2006) In 2002, the U.S Census Bureau stated that 66.9% of all Hispanics were Mexican. (Askim- Lovseth & Aldana, 2010, p. 356). Mexicans are composed from all social and economic levels. Factors such as age, gender, education, influence their beliefs. (Askim- Lovseth & Aldana, 2010) Nurses must learn how to do cultural care assessments, which are different than a physical and mental assessment. (Leininger & McFarland, 2002,) Nurses who care for Mexican-American women must understand and value the importance of their beliefs and culture to be able to care for them appropriately.
Summary of Article
Among Hispanics, Mexican-Americans are the fastest growing in population, and in Texas, Hispanics are one third of the population, in which 75% are Mexican American. (Eggenberger, Grasslet, & Restrepo Phd, 2006) Cultural differences between Hispanics and non Hispanic nurses who treat them are relevant to understand if a good outcome is expected. This article interviewed several elderly Mexican-American women on their views on family, their beliefs on health and. healthcare “The investigation was designed to gain a cultural perspective of health care in the Mexican-American population by listening to the voices of women because they assume primary responsibility for maintaining family health.” (Eggenberger et al., 2006)
Mexican-Americans believe the family is very important. The Mexican-American family consists of not only the nuclear family, but the extended family which consists of grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and godparents. (Eggenberger et al., 2006) The family is present at times of joy and at time of crisis. Health care decisions are made as a family, which may delay seeking health care outside the family. (Eggenberger et al., 2006) Women are seen as the force holding the family together, whereas men are seen as the authority figure. (Eggenberger et al., 2006)
The predominant religion of Hispanics is Roman Catholicism. “68 percent of US Hispanics are Catholic, according to a 2007 report by the Pew Research Center, while 15 percent are Evangelical Protestants and 8 percent profess no religion.”(Ziegler, 2011) Their health practices are influenced by their faith. Mexican-Americans often see there lives controlled by God. Illness may be viewed as a punishment from God to atone for their sins, and preventive measures and treatments may not be used. (Eggenberger et al., 2006) The sense of God’s influence is seen when the women interviewed stated: “God can help me. If you believe you’ll get better, you will, right away”, and “When God wants me I a ready”. (Eggenberger et al., 2006) The internal locus of control is also seen by Mexican-American women to influence their health. Although they may believe that God has a lot of control with their lives the women interviewed stated that they also attributed to their health outcomes with their actions. (Eggenberger et al., 2006)
Mexican-Americans use folk medicines comes from a mixture of influences: Roman Catholic Church, and the Mexican Indians, and include herbal remedies, use of amulets, and rituals.(Eggenberger et al., 2006) Chamomile, mint, and cinnamon teas are very common. Women interviewed spoke of the different teas and herbs that their grandmother’s pass on to them, and they now use. “[Grandmother] gave us teas when we were sick, chamomile tea and cinnamon tea. She had a garden and grew her herbs. I have grown some tea herbs in my yard that grandmother used.” (Eggenberger et al., 2006) The traditional healer is called a curandera, which is Spanish for healer. The curandera focuses on physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects of the ill person. (Eggenberger et al., 2006) The women who were interviewed were unwilling to speak about them.
The understanding of Mexican-American cultures is important for nurses to understand due to the rise in population in the United States. This article examined several aspects in the Mexican American culture that influence health care.
Application to Practice
Multiple factors that influence their patients care must be assessed by the nurse. These factors include: age, class, education, gender, religious and cultural beliefs. “A plan of care that coordinates treatment options taking into consideration culture values and customs”, can provide a culturally sensitive care.(DeNisco & Barker, 2013) Interviewing the patient and exploring similarities and differenced that a nurse may have with the patient, are important in establishing trust and learning how to be a more effective. Caregivers who demonstrate respect for their patients will be more effective; it also helps develop trust between them and the patient. (DeNisco & Barker, 2013) Nurses must be compassionate by having a deep awareness of and sympathy for their patients suffering.(Eggenberger et al., 2006) A culturally aware nurse can show compassion to her patients by understanding the patient’s needs beyond the medical needs. Family and religion play a major role in the Mexican-American culture. Caregivers must work as a team among themselves and with the patient and their families. Incorporating the family when educating the patient may help them in become more compliant. Pastoral care services may be helpful when addressing important medical decisions. “Cooperativeness is the willingness and ability to work with others”. (DeNisco & Barker, 2013)
Conclusion
Transcultural nursing requires nurses to reassess their knowledge, and expand their thinking to look at the patient’s needs with an awareness and sensitivity to culture. Nurses can provide a more nurturing and holistic approach by addressing the totality of the patient. Nurses must give culturally competent care if they want to be true patient advocates. As the number of Mexican-Americans grows, a better understanding of their culture will allow nurses to provide better care and meet their needs.

References
Askim- Lovseth, M.
K., & Aldana, A. (2010). Looking beyond affordable healthcare: Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity- Necessities in addressing the health care disparities of the U.S. Hispanic population []. Health Marketing Quarterly, 354-385.
DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Moving toward a culturally competent profession. Advanced practice nursing, pp. 480-481). Burlington,MA: Jones & Barrtlett Learning.
Eggenberger, PhD, RN, S. K., Grasslet, PhD, RN, J., & Restrepo Phd, RN, E. (2006, July 19). Culturally Competent Nursing Care for Families: Listening in the Voices of Mexican-American Women. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume112006/No3Sept06/ArticlePreviousTopics/CulturallyCompetentNursingCare.html
Health disparities experienced by Hispanics--United States. (2004, October 15). . Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5340a1.htm
Leininger, M., & McFarland, M. (2002). . In Transcultural Nursing: Concepts, theories, research, and practice. (3 ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Ziegler, J. J. (2011, December 01). The coming Latino Catholic majority. The Catholic World Report. Retrieved from
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1006/the_coming_latino_catholic_majority.aspx