Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice There are many different cultures in the world, and it is important to realize that not every culture is alike. Every culture has a different way of doing things, and a different perception on how nursing care should be received. I think it is important for nurses to take into consideration their patients culture before providing care. Cultural competence is what “guides the nurse in understanding behaviors and planning appropriate approaches to patient needs” (Black, 2014, p. 203). For this paper, I decided to interview my professor’s wife, Nicte Ordonez-Garza. Nicte was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala and came to the United States in 2006 as a Fulbright Scholar. While conducting the interview with
…show more content…
She explained to me that in Latin America, there are social services providing healthcare as well as private services (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). I found in an article that “Guatemalans struggle with some of the worst health issues in Central American, and in some cases the world” (Petrovick, 2016, para. 1). Because of this, the social services are designed for the people of low incomes, therefore the service is very slow, the buildings are not in good shape, and the level of care provided is not very well. However, the private service providers have great quality buildings, as well as service and care (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). Nicte further went on to explain that the treatment of the patient depends on what they can and cannot afford. If they cannot afford very much, then they will be treated with low quality care and vice versa (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). Nicte explained that this is different in America because for example, in 2008 the United States spent $7,825 per person on public health care while in Guatemala their government only spent about $97 per person (Petrovick, 2016, para. 4). Nicte has noticed however, that “in general, as people pay more for services, they will be given more attention, and the speed and quality of the healthcare services will be correlated to the amount paid for the services” (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3,
She explained to me that in Latin America, there are social services providing healthcare as well as private services (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). I found in an article that “Guatemalans struggle with some of the worst health issues in Central American, and in some cases the world” (Petrovick, 2016, para. 1). Because of this, the social services are designed for the people of low incomes, therefore the service is very slow, the buildings are not in good shape, and the level of care provided is not very well. However, the private service providers have great quality buildings, as well as service and care (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). Nicte further went on to explain that the treatment of the patient depends on what they can and cannot afford. If they cannot afford very much, then they will be treated with low quality care and vice versa (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3, 2016). Nicte explained that this is different in America because for example, in 2008 the United States spent $7,825 per person on public health care while in Guatemala their government only spent about $97 per person (Petrovick, 2016, para. 4). Nicte has noticed however, that “in general, as people pay more for services, they will be given more attention, and the speed and quality of the healthcare services will be correlated to the amount paid for the services” (N. Ordonez-Garza, personal communication, November 3,