Concepts of culture, diversity and cultural care among undergraduate nursing students : a nursing education perspective
Date
2008
Authors
Vandenberg, Helen
University of Lethbridge. School of Health Sciences
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Culture, diversity and cultural care have become important concepts for nurses
professionals. However, little is known about how nursing students come to understand
these complex concepts. The purpose of this study was to explore what nursing students
learn and understand about diversity, culture and cultural encounters from a nursing
education perspective. A qualitative approach utilizing the focused ethnography method
guided this research study. The study population was first and fourth year undergraduate
nursing students enrolled in a Western Canadian university. Findings revealed that the
majority of first and fourth year students supported expanded essentialist views of
culture. Although students demonstrated increased knowledge of nursing practice, the
overall understanding of culture care changed very little between first and fourth year
students. This study may be an important step to help nurses improve their understanding
of culture, diversity and cultural care. Recommendations are provided for students,
educators, program leaders and researchers.
Description
Keywords
health and environmenal sciences , education