Cultural diversity in
the classroom
Having been on either
side of the spectrum and having experienced frustrations working with
colleagues from other countries and cultures as a nurse, presenting such a
course is a rather exciting idea. To be able to effectively present this course
on cultural diversity, and to ensure success, the professor must first
demonstrate cultural competence. Evident in this class will be the fact that
every student will be treated the same, regardless of race, gender or
culture. Educators must ensure all
students are treated the way the professors would want to be treated. This will play a major part in not just
presenting the information, but role modeling, setting the example for the
expected outcome. This course hopes not
only to prepare the nurse upon graduation to be culturally competent, but also to
help students who are in the minority and experience unfairness, to share their
experience and provide the opportunity to enhance cultural sensitivity and
competence among others. The hope is that at the end of this course, and upon
graduation the nurse will be able to, appreciate differences that exist between
people such as language and traditions, work efficiently with individuals from
different cultures, have an increase in cultural awareness and be able to
communicate effectively across cultures.
Hello Pauline, I agree that we have to start this in the nursing schools. Davis, Davis, and Williams (2010) encourages nursing schools to develop strategies to attract diversity in its students to reflect the diverse population in the U.S. We need to encourage diversity in the workplace and in the educational environment. Boland (2009) states developing the framework needs to be consistent with the school’s mission statement and philosophy. Developing a course curriculum using a framework that define the concepts; health, person, environment, and nursing in the model is essential (Boland, 2009).
ReplyDeleteReferences
Boland, D. L. (2009). Developing curriculum: Frameworks, outcomes, and competencies. In Billings, D. M., & Halstead, J. A. (Eds., pp. 137-153). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (4th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Davis, S. P., Davis, D. D., & Williams, D. D. (2010). Challenges and issues facing the future of nursing education: Implications for ethnic minority faculty and students. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 17(4). 122-126.
Linda thanks for your comments.
DeleteYou are right, with populations becoming more diverse, it behooves every institution of learning for nurses, to seek to include a course on cultural diversity in the curriculum. And the expanding migration requires preparation in nursing to meet the changing needs of the society in preparation for serving a diverse community (Bednarz, Schim, & Doorenbos, 2010). I agree that it is time for all to encourage diversity in the educational setting. In North American medical schools, cultural diversity is a requirement for inclusion in the curriculum (Gustafson, & Reitmanova, 2010). This can only serve as the benefit for the nursing profession, which with this addition to the curriculum; will be better able to meet the needs of the society.
References
Bednarz, H. Schim, S. & Doorenbos, A. (2010). Cultural diversity in nursing education: Perils, pitfalls, and pearls. Journal of Nursing Education, 49(5), 253-260.
Gustafson, D. L. & Reitmanova, S. (2010). How are we doing cultural diversity? A look across English Canadian undergraduate medical school programs. Medical Teacher, 32(10), 816-823.
Pauline and Linda,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both on the usefulness and necessity to incorporate diversity into nursing education. We are developing in my rehab facility a rubric in our website called "diversity" to help staff at all level to learn from and about various cultural background and then understand better each other , and dliver better patient care.
Elodie