Page 189 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 189
Strengthening Cultural Awareness
of Nursing Students
Barbara Donik
University of Maribor, Slovenia
barbara.donik@um.si
Mateja Lorber
University of Maribor, Slovenia
mateja.lorber@um.si
Majda Pajnkihar
University of Maribor, Slovenia
majda.pajnkihar@um.si
Cultural awareness by nurses is key for ensuring quality and person-centred
care, therefore, strengthening cultural awareness in nursing students is very
important. By measuring cultural awareness of nursing students and involv-
ing them in various educational modules in the field of transcultural nursing,
we can influence their cultural awareness and sensitivity. The purpose of the
research is to measure the level of cultural awareness in nursing students. A
quantitative research approach was used. A descriptive cross-sectional sur-
vey was performed. For measuring cultural awareness in nursing students,
a Cultural awareness scale (CAS) was used. Descriptive statistical methods
and inferential statistics were used. The results showed a moderate level
of cultural awareness in nursing students. The results indicated that female
nursing students’ average cultural awareness was higher than in male nurs-
ing students. The gender difference was especially high in the dimension
Behaviours/Comfort with interactions. The inter-correlation between dimen-
sions that measured cultural awareness was mostly positive. To ensure cultur-
ally competent nursing care, it is necessary to start teaching and gaining cul-
tural competences early in their studies as education in the field of cultural
competences represents a strategy for improving the knowledge, attitudes
and skills of nursing students.
Introduction
Nurses are faced with an increased need to care for culturally diverse patients
(Seal & Wiske, 2018). This brings the opportunity for strengthening cultural
awareness and sensitivity in nurses. Cultural awareness and cultural sensitiv-
ity are the key aspects of cultural competence among nurses (Clinton, 1996;
Rew, Becker, Cookston, Khosropour, & Martinez, 2003; Lonneman, 2015). This
187
of Nursing Students
Barbara Donik
University of Maribor, Slovenia
barbara.donik@um.si
Mateja Lorber
University of Maribor, Slovenia
mateja.lorber@um.si
Majda Pajnkihar
University of Maribor, Slovenia
majda.pajnkihar@um.si
Cultural awareness by nurses is key for ensuring quality and person-centred
care, therefore, strengthening cultural awareness in nursing students is very
important. By measuring cultural awareness of nursing students and involv-
ing them in various educational modules in the field of transcultural nursing,
we can influence their cultural awareness and sensitivity. The purpose of the
research is to measure the level of cultural awareness in nursing students. A
quantitative research approach was used. A descriptive cross-sectional sur-
vey was performed. For measuring cultural awareness in nursing students,
a Cultural awareness scale (CAS) was used. Descriptive statistical methods
and inferential statistics were used. The results showed a moderate level
of cultural awareness in nursing students. The results indicated that female
nursing students’ average cultural awareness was higher than in male nurs-
ing students. The gender difference was especially high in the dimension
Behaviours/Comfort with interactions. The inter-correlation between dimen-
sions that measured cultural awareness was mostly positive. To ensure cultur-
ally competent nursing care, it is necessary to start teaching and gaining cul-
tural competences early in their studies as education in the field of cultural
competences represents a strategy for improving the knowledge, attitudes
and skills of nursing students.
Introduction
Nurses are faced with an increased need to care for culturally diverse patients
(Seal & Wiske, 2018). This brings the opportunity for strengthening cultural
awareness and sensitivity in nurses. Cultural awareness and cultural sensitiv-
ity are the key aspects of cultural competence among nurses (Clinton, 1996;
Rew, Becker, Cookston, Khosropour, & Martinez, 2003; Lonneman, 2015). This
187
