Culture in Nursing

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer notes that in order to provide effective nursing care, nurses must have knowledge of the client's worldview which is influenced by their cultural beliefs, values and life ways. The writer points out that in Chinese culture, the approach of patients to health and illness centers on the concept of balance, and is holistic and traditional. The writer maintains that health is understood as a state of spiritual and physical harmony with nature and illness caused by some upset in body energy. The case study demonstrates the differences that often become apparent between cultural beliefs and practices versus the perspective of nursing. This paper focuses on the cultural factor of religious and philosophical factors. The writer concludes that religious and philosophical factors greatly influence what Chinese people do and what choices they make.

From the Paper:

"In contrast to Chinese religious and philosophical beliefs regarding health and disease, nurses in Western culture are trained in a much different way regarding nutrition. Nurses also are instructed to push fluids. For nurses, the focus on nutrition involves its role in healing in relation to the need for protein and fiber as well as electrolyte balance. The normal course of nursing actions is that when the problem is hypertension, then the amount of sodium is restricted. Whatever foods might be contributing to the health are either very limited or are eliminated from the diet. In the case study, nurses are following the usual procedure in promoting fluids for the patient in order to enable Mr. W. to recover from his bladder surgery. To achieve the health outcome, it is very common for nurses to provide patients with cold tap water. The issue is that both Chinese cultural practice and professional nursing practice both are concerned with the same outcome."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alligood, M. & Tomey, A. (2006). Nursing theory: Utilization and application. Toronto: Elsevier Mosby.
• Kite, M. (2003). Nursing challenges. Journal of Multicultural Nursing & Health, 9 (1), 55-60.
• Pask, E.G. (1997). Culture and the changing health scene. The Australian Pediatric Nurse, 6 (1), 25-28.
• Sieh, A. & Brentin, L. (1997). The nurse communicates. Toronto: WB Saunders.

More papers on Culture in Nursing:

• Term Paper # 129881 : "Bullying Culture in Nursing"
• Term Paper # 99617 : "The Bullying Culture in Nursing"
• Persuasive Essay # 135092 : "Cultural Competency in Nursing"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: