Bridging Cultures in Care: A Narrative Review on Cultural Competency in Nursing Practice

Abstract

Introduction: In today’s multicultural societies, nurses play a crucial role in providing care that is both clinically effective and culturally sensitive. Cultural competence in nursing involves understanding and respecting the diverse beliefs, values, and practices of patients. The increasing diversity caused by globalization and migration underscores the importance of culturally competent care, which is essential for improving patient outcomes, satisfaction, and fairness.

Objective: This narrative review aims to examine the concept of cultural competence in nursing, its impact on patient outcomes, the challenges to its implementation, and the strategies for incorporating it into nursing education and practice.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 45 studies including empirical investigations, reviews, and theoretical manuscripts were analyzed thematically.

Results: Prominent frameworks identified include Leininger’s Transcultural Nursing Theory, Campinha-Bacote’s Process Model, and the Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. Empirical evidence demonstrates that culturally competent care enhances communication, fosters patient trust, increases satisfaction, and contributes to reducing health disparities.

Conclusion: Cultural competence is essential for the provision of equitable, patient-centered nursing care. Strengthening education, training, and policy support is imperative to foster cultural competence, thereby improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare.