Cultural Competence and Values as a Nurse - Free Essay Example

In exploring personal values with cultural competency, values are described as stable beliefs or convictions about desired human behaviors on how socially or personally react to their environments and state of existence. On the other hand, cultural competency in healthcare is defined as the response of healthcare professionals, such as nurses, in portraying patients' competency via their beliefs, feelings, and diverse values [1]. In clinical settings, cultural competency is a crucial aspect of improving nurse-patient relations. The main contributing factors to the cultural competency of a nurse are dependent on one's values. The excellence in cultural competency is said to be positively correlated to the personal values of an individual. Consequently, personal values are essential in the quest to address competency in health disparities and promote efficiency.

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The values of an individual play a key role in promoting efficiency in service delivery. For instance, a healthy facility nurse has his/her competency well accessed through personal traits [1]. For example, a nurse who values diversity is much more competent in handling patients from diverse backgrounds. Besides, emotional experience and the ability to take various patients' circumstances make one adept at managing multiple patients [1].

As a result, personal traits and values have seen a significant shift in incompetency and general performance in the health sector. Most healthcare centers' success has heavily relied on how the workers combine their values and skills in handling patients. Citing the case of racism in America, how the whites in various health centers have been handling patients from other races has, to a great extent, determined the level of competency in the various healthcare centers in America [1]. Moreover, outgoing and knowledge-oriented nurses are more competent in handling patients. They can learn different languages and psychology behind most customers, thus enhancing service delivery.

As a nurse, creating a rapport between the client and the patient has majorly helped extend the most out of a patient. Whenever the patient opens up on their personal matters, it becomes easier to prescribe and administer the best treatment for them. The skill of getting patients comfortable sharing their personal feelings has paid dividends in improving my service delivery, hence improving competency [1].

Besides, the fair treatment of patients regardless of race, color, or orientation has promoted efficiency in service delivery at the healthcare center. Being empathetic has also played a significant role in enhancing the patient-nurse relationship in health centers. Patients connect well with nurses or attendants who can understand their feelings. To embrace diversity, the ability to learn various languages, cultures, and ways of life has paid off in easier connection with patients hence enhancing the service delivery [1]. A nurse who has a diverse knowledge of various patients' backgrounds finds it more comfortable to deliver his/her services, thus promoting competency.

In recap, personal values enhance competency in service delivery in health centers. For instance, a dependable and knowledgeable nurse stands out to be more competent than just being professional. Moreover, the ability to embrace diversity, show empathy, and have emotional experience are dividends in service delivery. Personal values prove invaluable in promoting cultural competency, especially in the health sector, to achieve optimal service delivery to patients.

Bibliography

[1] Biles J. Cultural competence in healthcare: Our learning from 2017-2020 will shape our future. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, Jul-Sep 2020; 26(11): 20-25. https://issuu.com/australiannursingfederation/docs/anmj___2020___jul-sep_issuu/s/10667776