Advanced Practise Nurse (APN)
Introduction
Advanced Practise Nurse (APN) needs to have a full understanding of the culture and spirituality of their patients to provide care that is sensitive to the two elements. I have always strived to cultivate spiritual and cultural awareness in my nursing practice since it will increase my capability of providing care to a diverse population and also foster inter-professional relationships (Darnell and Hickson, 2015). This process has been realized through reading journal articles, textbooks, and research on the internet to ensure that i am spiritually and culturally competent.
Assessment of Cultural Needs
I hold the view that APNs need to assess the cultural needs of the patient before recommending treatment. This approach can be realized through effective communication will all patients, clients, or even their family members (McCarthy, 2015). Questions relating to ‘how?’, ‘when?’, and ‘what?’ are significant when assessing the cultural needs of the patient (Darnell and Hickson, 2015). For instance, in some cultural contexts, eye contact and physical closeness may be interpreted differently. The APN should not be afraid to ask the client, family members, or the interpreter, whether the cultural gesture relating to body language is acceptable in their respective ethnic settings (McCarthy, 2015). Also, cultural competence extends to respecting the wishes of the client on how they should be addressed.
Assessment of Spiritual Needs
I hold the view that APN needs to address a patient’s spiritual needs to ensure wholesome care. Research indicates that nurses who factor in spiritual needs during patient care; there is the development of a sense of well-being for both the practitioner and the client (McCarthy, 2015). Nurses can not provide spiritual care unless they are spiritually aware and have knowledge of the patients’ views on their illnesses and the underlying religious and spiritual practices (Darnell and Hickson, 2015). However, before they do so, they have to be aware of their values and belief system.
References
Darnell, L., & Hickson, S. (2015). Cultural Competent Patient-Centered Nursing Care. Nursing Clinics of North America, 50(1), 99-108. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2014.10.008
McCarthy, G. (2015). Nursing and Spiritual Care. Intensive Care Nursing, 1(3), 153. doi: 10.1016/0266-612x(86)90097-0