How Nurses Can Thrive in a Diverse Working Environment

In nursing, there is often a lot of talk about caring for patients of different cultures. But what about dealing with diversity in workplace for nurses? Sensitive subject. I know it is. Let’s just be open here and talk about it. I find that talking about sensitive topics usually dispels half the possible tension.

First, let’s be blatantly honest. We appear to be different. Some of us talk louder than others, some of us eat food that others find unappealing, some of us say things that others would never utter out loud, some of us don’t say things that others feel should be said, etc. And yes, we do all of this in the workplace. Whether any of these are good or bad is a whole other article. These are just general examples.

As cultural beings, it is next to impossible to not have natural biases and tendencies to feel a stronger kinship to our own “tribe”. Sometimes these things can affect our thoughts, words and actions in the workplace. Fifty years ago in nursing that might have been OK. After all, even hospitals were segregated. But today, in many facilities, you find yourself working with nurses of many different cultures.

Before I get to the tips on thriving in culture diversity and nursing work environment, let us first understand why diversity in nursing matters. It can be for a lot of reasons including your own growth as an individual. But most importantly, how can you treat patients of different cultures well if you can’t even get along with nurses of different cultures?

1.Awareness

Ignorance isn’t always bliss. Taking the time to actually learn a bit about another culture can help you to understand certain behavior. Not knowing about a culture is not an excuse for biased and possibly offensive behavior. This often occurs when you have a lack of knowledge about a culture. Being open to what seems new and different can make your patient care more effective and desirable.

2.Get Uncomfortable

I am a strong advocate of personal development and self-education. It is important to continue to learn and grow, even outside of traditional educational institutions. You’d be surprised what you’ll experience when you set out to learn about another culture.

As someone who has lived in four different countries, I have learned that we are more alike than we are different. Our differences seem big and obvious, but when you we really get down to it, the things that drive us as human beings, the things we cherish, value, and strive for are so common and overarching that it makes our differences seem miniscule.

It’s important that we experience things that initially feel uncomfortable. Contrary to our tendency to try to stay as comfortable as possible, growth occurs when we get uncomfortable. We are so comfortable around people “like us.”. Most of us grew up associating with people of the same culture.

Observe your circle of friends and associates. Are they mostly of the same culture? If so, is it time to consider opening up your circle to people of a different culture? The more homogenized your current circle, the more uncomfortable this will feel, at first. Make a concerted effort to get to know people of different cultures. Effective nursing communication skills are very important to be comfortable with your working palce.

Here’s a practical example: Find meet up groups that you can become a part of. For example, if you would like to learn a language, you may be able to find a mixed meet-up group where you can practice the language and get to know more about the culture.

There are also online conversation and pen pal websites where you can interact with, and get to know, people of various cultures. Of course, use discernment and common sense when interacting online (and offline for that matter).

3.Cultural Pride and It’s Possible Downfall

Most of us feel a strong sense of pride in the culture that we come from. This feels natural and expected. The issue comes when our pride turns to arrogance, or a feeling of superiority. The idea that one culture is “better” than another pervades worldwide. Embracing this superiority idea is dangerously common. I invite you to do some deep inner reflection. Do you feel this way? Do you treat “others” in a derogatory manner when they do, or say, something contrary to what your culture deems the acceptable norm? Ask yourself why; where do these thoughts and feelings come from, and can you be open to changing them?

4.Respect

You may not like certain behavior because it is different, but you at least need to respect it. Unless someone (for example, a patient) is at harm because of a person’s culturally based behavior, you need to show respect. Making derogatory comments, gestures or facial expressions are all disrespectful. There are enough stressors in the workplace, adding disrespectful behavior does not help. Respecting the culture of co-workers and your patients in nursing is essential in nursing practice because we are patient advocates.

Of course, this is a much deeper topic than can be covered in a brief article, but it behooves all of us to explore our awareness, knowledge and behavior towards people of other cultures, patients and coworkers alike. Managing cultural diversity and nursing can be a complicated issue to deal with but with proper understanding and awareness, working environment will be smooth and easy.