This module explored the importance of a multicultural
healthcare team, and how equity and diversity positively contributes to the
entire workplace. The following areas were explored: equity and diversity
defined; multicultural workforce in healthcare; cultural shock; faith,
Indigenous Australians, gender differences and generational diversity in the
workplace; and how leadership can help to promote a healthy and inclusive
workplace.
After reading about different cultural backgrounds
related to age, gender, ethnicity, and leadership; I now appreciate the need to
support, respect and value the differences of all individuals who work within
the multidisciplinary healthcare team. I have learned that generic skills,
rather than stereotypes and cultural labelling, must be promoted; because although
our choices are influenced by our cultural background and circumstances, it
does not define who we are (Downing & Kowal, 2011). We all chose employment
in healthcare, because we all share the same values and ethics which underpin
the many codes, guidelines and health policies in which we are legally bound to
follow (Shahriari, Mohammadi, Abbaszadeh, & Bahrami, 2013). Furthermore, as
a provisional healthcare team, our primary focus should be our patients, which requires
open collaboration and mutual respect amongst staff. This is because studies
have shown that lack of co-operation between work colleagues can prevent open
exchange of patient information- of which, subsequently impacts negatively on
patient health outcomes (Dienger, 2013; Vessey, Demarco, & DiFazio, 2011).
Therefore, as a nurse, I will be culturally aware
and supportive of my colleagues’ diverse backgrounds, because I fully recognise
that a healthy nursing culture will ultimately benefit our patients (Hendricks
& Cope, 2013). New nurses can offer contemporary medical knowledge; older
nurses can mentor inexperienced staff members; and culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) employees can overcome language barriers, by acting
as interpreters if the same dialect is shared (Waite, Nardi, & Killian, 2014).
I will also encourage Indigenous Australians to pursue a career in nursing,
because many Indigenous patients feel more comfortable, if healthcare treatment
is received from people with similar cultural backgrounds (Stuart &
Nielsen, 2011).
REFERENCES
Community Services and Health. (2011, Nov 20). Jenni
Langgrel - Primary Health Care Manager [Video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lBNue0SqK8
Dienger, J. (2013). The impact of workplace
relationships on engagement, well-being, commitment and turnover for nurses in
Australia and the USA. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 69(12),
2786-2799. doi:10.1111/jan.12165
Downing, R., & Kowal, E. (2011). Putting
Indigenous cultural training into nursing practice. Contemporary Nurse:
A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 37(1), 10-20.
doi:10.5172/conu.2011.37.1.010
Hendricks, J. & Cope, V. (2013). Generational
diversity: What nurse managers need to know. Journal of Advanced
Nursing, 69(3), 717-725. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.06079.x
Shahriari, M., Mohammadi, E., Abbaszadeh, A., &
Bahrami, M. (2013). Nursing ethical values and definitions: A literature
review. Iranian Journal of Nursing & Midwifery Research, 18(1),
1-8. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3748548/
Stuart, L., & Nielsen, A. (2011). Two Aboriginal
registered nurses show us why black nurses caring for black patients is good
medicine. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing
Profession, 37(1), 96-101. doi:10.5172/conu.2011.37.1.096
Vessey, J., Demarco, R., & DiFazio, R. (2011).
Bullying, harassment, and horizontal violence in the nursing workforce: The
state of the science. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 28, 133-157.
doi:10.1891/0739-6686.28.133
Waite, R., Nardi, D., & Killian, P. (2014).
Examination of cultural knowledge and provider sensitivity in nurse managed
health centers. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 21(2),
74-79. Retrieved
from https://www.questia.com/library/p587/journal-of-cultural-diversity
