Iraqi Culture and Nursing

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how an American nurse in Iraq must prepare herself for the vast differences in Iraqi and American culture. The paper describes the Iraqi culture and notes that due to its patriarchal society, females are considered subservient to males. The paper depicts the healthcare system where many nurses don't know how to take vital signs or administer medications. Although intelligent and motivated, they lack clinical standards for practice, competency and behavior and they are not respected by the medical staff. The paper discusses what an American nurse in Iraq must be prepared for and concludes that an American nurse going to Iraq will have a wonderful and unique experience.

From the Paper:

"When we hear about Iraq, the first things that come to mind are the Gulf Wars, Saddam Hussein and terrorism. But Iraq is rich in history and culture and is considered as "one of the cradles of civilization" with the Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian empires contributing to the growth of Mesopotamia or the core of Modern Iraq. They boast of a culture that is thousands of years old and one can read about historical Iraq in the bible. To an American nurse wanting to go to Iraq, she should prepare herself for the vast difference in Iraqi and American culture. The atmosphere is even more different since it is still undergoing major rehabilitation from being war-torn and ravaged brought about by the latest Gulf War and numerous terrorist attacks. But despite all the turmoil, going to Iraq is a rich and rewarding experience due to the rich culture and tradition inherent in the country."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Albermani, Linda. (2004) My Iraqi Culture. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from My Arabic History on the World Wide Web http://www.myarabicstory.org/IRAQ/iraqi_culture.htm Boivin, Janet.. (2006). In Iraq, care wins hearts and minds, Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/ Boivin, Janet. (2006). In the zone: Providing critical care in a combat zone tests the skills and endurance of U.S. military nurses. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/ Boivin, Janet. (2006). Nursing Spectrum begins a series of on-the-ground accounts of military nurses in today's war zone. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/ Dryden, Peggy. (2004). Nursing in Iraq: starting from scratch. Medscape Nurses, March 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Medscape from WedMD on the World Wide Web: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470849 Freimuth, Kathleen. (2005). Injured in war, School of Nursing alum retains love of profession. Retrieved 23 May 2006 on the World Wide Web: http://www.son.wisc.edu/news_and_events/ news_2005/justiceprint.htm Justice, Chris. (2005). Injured in war, School of Nursing alum retains love of profession. http://www.son.wisc.edu/news_and_events/news_2005/justiceprint.htm Medical Interpreter Services. (2006). Bits of culture - Iraq. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Massachusetts General Hospital on the World Wide Web: http://www.massgeneral.org/ interpreters/b_irq.asp McCauley, Miriam. (2004). Helping Iraqi nurses get back on track. Nursing, 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from ProQuest Information and Learning Company on the World Wide Web: http://www.findarticl es.com/p/articles/mi_qa4022/is_200411/ai_n9471655 Salaam. (2006). Culture - women's clothing, men's clothing. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Salaam on the World Wide Web: http://www.salaam.co.uk/themeofthemonth/january02 _index.php?l=7 Swan, Beth Ann. (2004). Nursing infrastructure in Iraq: rebuilding a war-torn country. American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, Nov/Dec 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from ProQuest Information and Learning Company on the World Wide Web: http://www.findarticl es.com/p/articles/mi_qa4022/is_200411/ai_n9471655
• Boivin, Janet.. (2006). In Iraq, care wins hearts and minds, Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/
• Boivin, Janet. (2006). In the zone: Providing critical care in a combat zone tests the skills and endurance of U.S. military nurses. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/
• Boivin, Janet. (2006). Nursing Spectrum begins a series of on-the-ground accounts of military nurses in today's war zone. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Nursing Spectrum Online on the World Wide Web: http://www.nursingspectrum.com/iraq/
• Dryden, Peggy. (2004). Nursing in Iraq: starting from scratch. Medscape Nurses, March 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2006 from Medscape from WedMD on the World Wide Web: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470849

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