Perceptions of cultural competency of undergraduate nursing students

Diane Von Ah, Natasha Cassara

Adult Health Department, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ojn.2013.32024                

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the level of cultural competence of undergraduate nursing students at a large Midwestern University. Background: Developing cultural competence of nurses is critical to meet the needs of our growing diverse society. Methods: A convenience sample of 150 undergraduate nursing students completed a one-time questionnaire assessing students’ cultural competence. Results: Nursing students’ rated their overall knowledge and comfort moderate to poor with only 28% rated themselves as very comfortable and 15% as very skillful in providing culturally competent care. Students rated their knowledge and comfort highest in taking a family history, whereas, the lowest scores were related to pregnancy and childbirth, death and dying, and organ donation in other cultures. Conclusions: Findings suggest that nursing students feel inadequately prepared to provide culturally competent care.

Keywords

Cultural Diversity; Cultural Competency; Nursing Education; Cultural Self-Efficacy

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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