Discuss methods of overcoming language barriers. One of the most obvious challenges that nurses face when dealing with individuals from diverse cultures is the possibility of a language barrier. In cities with large populations of non-English speakers, translators are commonly employed by hospitals to assist medical professionals in communicating with patients who do not speak their language. However, nurses should not be completely dependent upon these interpreters. If a nurse knows that she will be working at a hospital that many Spanish speaking individuals frequent, for example, she should learn conversational phrases to assist her in communicating. Additionally, nurses should consider nonverbal means of communicating with patients. When it is necessary to communicate with a non-English speaker without the aid of a translator, be accommodating and kind. Try to be sympathetic to their struggle. They are likely just as frustrated as you are at their inability to communicate with you.
Help students develop an understanding of the dominant subcultures in the area where they plan to practice. If a nursing student is going to work in Pennsylvania, it is advisable that she learn some basics about the Amish culture and religious principles. Likewise, if a nurse intends to work in Texas, learning about Mexican culture, and the common response of members of that culture to medical intervention would be helpful.
Teach nursing students to be flexible when dealing with individuals from other cultural backgrounds. Don't expect a patient to change; cater to their needs so that you can ensure that you help them get the medical attention that they require. Many individuals from societal subcultures fail to seek medical treatment when it is necessary because they feel that medical professionals do not understand their cultural needs, or they fear that nurses and doctors will make negative judgments about their beliefs. Be flexible and accommodate differences in your patients to ensure that they get top quality medical care and that they are not discouraged from seeking medical treatment in the future.
Teach nursing students how to respond to requests that conflict with their values. It is important for nurses to remember that there are people who do not believe as they do. Some patients will choose to refuse treatment for cultural and religious reasons. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses, for example, elect not to undergo medical treatments for religious reasons. Teach your students that, as nurses, they must be understanding and compassionate and recognize the right of an individual to make decisions about their health treatment. This can be difficult for some nurses to deal with as, by their very nature, nurses want to lead people to make healthy and life extending decisions. Remind your students that as nurses they can advise, but they can not control what the patient ultimately decides to do.
Explore how different cultures deal with death and mourn loss. Death is something that nurses will inevitably experience at some point in time in their career. Every culture responds to death differently. In many cultures, individuals hold in their emotions and deal with death silently, which can lead untrained observers to believe that the members of the family are not touched by the loss of a loved one. If a nurse has an understanding of the common methods for dealing with death and mourning, she will be more effective in helping the family of the deceased begin to cope. While counseling the family of a deceased patient is not something that a nurse does directly, it is helpful for her to understand how the individuals in different cultures cope with loss, so that she can understand the actions of the family members of patients and be effective in understanding their plight and helping them begin to heal.