The Importance Of Nursing In Bolivia

The first time I heard the word chuño it made me laugh. I was about six years old, and thought it was an amusing word for a type of potato This awkwardly shaped, black, chewy tubercle is unique to the freezing temperatures and high altitudes of the Bolivian terrains. Bolivia is a country with hundreds of different types of potatoes that grow on the Andean plateaus. Beautifully and brightly colored potatoes that are cultivated and deliciously cooked to be a staple part of the everyday diet. To the non-Bolivian, they might be able to relate to some strands of potatoes, but certainly not all. Clearly many countries are familiar with the potato; some countries might smash them others might fry them but they are usually loved and understood. Personally, chuño is a representation of the dynamics that exists in every culture. In any given culture there might be features one understands and even relates to, but there might be others that seem outright unappetizing or unacceptable. I have learnt that these are the barriers every culture faces, the aspects that other cultures don 't understand or are not aware of. In my experiences the acceptance and …show more content…
Working at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, I see the importance of being culturally sensitive in the healthcare world and I strive to advocate for underrepresented populations. On a daily basis I encounter patients who come to us from different religious backgrounds, with language and cultural barriers that need the caregivers to be tuned into their sensitivities at such a critical moment. These constant challenges allow me to see that we must give back to our medically underserved communities and be a part of a grander scope of health practitioners, who will go out into the different areas of this country, understanding not only the scientific approach to a cure but the emotional, and cultural aspect that help the healing