292321
Where is cultural competency in nursing education?
Colleen Marzilli, DNP, MBA, RN-BC, CCM, APHN-BC, CNE,
College of Nursing and Health Sciences, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX
Background and Issue: Health disparities in ethnic and racial minorities are well documented, and research supports cultural competent health care reduces health disparities in this population. The potential for health care dollar savings is approximately $24 million dollars annually. Nursing education lacks policies that specifically address cultural competency education. Description: Nursing education is largely regulated by each state. State guidelines for nursing education list competencies for the minimum level of education. In this study, all 50 US states' nursing education curricula were evaluated for mention or inclusion of cultural competency specific curriculum competencies. Lessons learned: The policy analysis of the 50 states nursing education curricula indicates cultural competency is lacking as a nursing education competency. Recommendations: Nurses have the unique ability to interact with patients on a deeper, more meaningful level and provide culturally competent health care. Nursing education must reflect the US recommendations for culturally competent health care providers. State boards of nursing must enumerate cultural competency in the curriculum plan for nurses. The potential economic impact for mandating cultural competency in nursing education is great as is the potential to reduce health disparities in diverse populations, thus creating a healthier US.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related nursing
Learning Objectives:
Identify policies regarding the inclusion of cultural competency education across nursing schools in the US
Analyze the implications of omissions of specific cultural competence competencies
Keyword(s): Cultural Competency, Nurses
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted research on cultural competence, cultural competency in nursing, and policies related to cultural competency inclusion in nursing curriculum.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
