Week 3 Discussion: Cultural Competence Versus Humility
Explain the difference between cultural competence and humility. Give a specific example of
how this is seen in your current position or how you would implement this in the nurse
educator role. NR535 Theoretical Foundations and Instructional Strategies for the Nurse
Educator
Our country offers the opportunity and challenge to interact with people from a variety of
different backgrounds and cultures. As nurses and educators, our work requires that we are aware
of cultural differences and use that knowledge to provide care that is equal and demonstrates
respect for different cultural backgrounds and beliefs [CITATION 1stdeveloping \l 1033 ]. But is
it possible be aware of and provide culturally competent care to all backgrounds? This is where
we find there is a difference between cultural competence and cultural humility.
Cultural competence entails treating others with respect and understanding of that
person’s different values, beliefs, morals, and attitudes [CITATION 1stdeveloping \l 1033 ]. In
the clinical environment, an example of culturally competent care would be ensuring that a
female Muslim patient is treated by female providers, or allowed to have her husband in the
room if a male provider is necessary, and making accommodations for privacy and religious
practices [ CITATION Att20 \l 1033 ]. In the academic environment that might mean paring a
Muslim student someone of the same gender when necessary to ensure they are comfortable and
better able to learn. Creating an environment in which other cultures feel comfortable and
respected promotes relationships and student engagement [CITATION culturalhumility \l 1033 ].
, Cultural competency connotes expertise in other cultures, but can a person every truly be
an expert in a culture in which they have never experienced? The idea of cultural humility
suggests that the answer is no. Cultural humility is a preferred quality because it suggests a
personal awareness of your own culture as well as a desire to learn about others [CITATION
cultural humility \l 1033 ]. Additionally, it implies, for a healthcare provider or educatory, that
they not only have a desire to show respect for other cultures, but understand their own
limitations in providing culturally competent care [CITATION cultural humility \l 1033 ].
Cultural competence cannot be attained without cultural humility. An example of cultural
humility in the clinical setting would be asking that female Muslim patient how her cultural
needs could be met—anticipating the possibility of needing to make accommodations to ensure
her needs are met with respect to her values. This demonstrates a desire to listen and learn about
the patient’s culture. By not making assumptions and providing the patient with the opportunity
to explain their needs, the provider builds trust and fosters a trusting and caring relationship.
The same holds true in the teaching environment. One study showed that teachers who
demonstrated cultural humility had higher student satisfaction ratings than those who didn’t; this
made them feel more comfortable and confident in the learning environment [CITATION
cultural humility \l 1033 ].
Regardless of whether we are in an academic or clinical environment, cultural humility is
necessary because of our diverse population. If we aspire to teach culturally competent nurses
then, as educators, we must set the example by showing and continually working on our cultural
humility.
Sources
Abdul-Raheem, J. (2018). Cultural Humility in Nursing Education. Journal of
Cultural Diversity, 66-73.
Attum, B., Waheed, A., & Shamoon, Z. (2020, February 17). Cultural Competence in the Care
of Muslim Patients and Their Families. Retrieved from National Center for
Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499933/
Foronda, C., Baptiste, D., Reinholdt, M. M., & Ousman, K. (2016). Cultural humility: A concept
analysis. Journal of Transcultural Nursing: Official Journal of the Transcultural Nursing
Society, 27(3), 210–217. doi:10.1177/1043659615592677
Isaacson, M. (2014). Clarifying concepts: Cultural humility or competency. Journal of
Professional Nursing, 30(3), 251–258. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.09.011
Szucs, L. E., Shipley, M., McNeill, E. ‘., Housman, J., & Vinal, C. (2019). Developing
Preservice Teachers’ Cultural Competency Through Urban Immersion. American
Journal of Health Studies, 69-79.
Dr. Lupica,
I feel that it is very important to anticipate the preferences of all patients when assigning them a
nurse. When I worked as a charge nurse I often took the patient’s culture and/or personality into
consideration when doing the next shift’s assignments but my main priority was always based on
patient acuity and nurse experience. While it would be ideal to assign nurses based on patient
Explain the difference between cultural competence and humility. Give a specific example of
how this is seen in your current position or how you would implement this in the nurse
educator role. NR535 Theoretical Foundations and Instructional Strategies for the Nurse
Educator
Our country offers the opportunity and challenge to interact with people from a variety of
different backgrounds and cultures. As nurses and educators, our work requires that we are aware
of cultural differences and use that knowledge to provide care that is equal and demonstrates
respect for different cultural backgrounds and beliefs [CITATION 1stdeveloping \l 1033 ]. But is
it possible be aware of and provide culturally competent care to all backgrounds? This is where
we find there is a difference between cultural competence and cultural humility.
Cultural competence entails treating others with respect and understanding of that
person’s different values, beliefs, morals, and attitudes [CITATION 1stdeveloping \l 1033 ]. In
the clinical environment, an example of culturally competent care would be ensuring that a
female Muslim patient is treated by female providers, or allowed to have her husband in the
room if a male provider is necessary, and making accommodations for privacy and religious
practices [ CITATION Att20 \l 1033 ]. In the academic environment that might mean paring a
Muslim student someone of the same gender when necessary to ensure they are comfortable and
better able to learn. Creating an environment in which other cultures feel comfortable and
respected promotes relationships and student engagement [CITATION culturalhumility \l 1033 ].
, Cultural competency connotes expertise in other cultures, but can a person every truly be
an expert in a culture in which they have never experienced? The idea of cultural humility
suggests that the answer is no. Cultural humility is a preferred quality because it suggests a
personal awareness of your own culture as well as a desire to learn about others [CITATION
cultural humility \l 1033 ]. Additionally, it implies, for a healthcare provider or educatory, that
they not only have a desire to show respect for other cultures, but understand their own
limitations in providing culturally competent care [CITATION cultural humility \l 1033 ].
Cultural competence cannot be attained without cultural humility. An example of cultural
humility in the clinical setting would be asking that female Muslim patient how her cultural
needs could be met—anticipating the possibility of needing to make accommodations to ensure
her needs are met with respect to her values. This demonstrates a desire to listen and learn about
the patient’s culture. By not making assumptions and providing the patient with the opportunity
to explain their needs, the provider builds trust and fosters a trusting and caring relationship.
The same holds true in the teaching environment. One study showed that teachers who
demonstrated cultural humility had higher student satisfaction ratings than those who didn’t; this
made them feel more comfortable and confident in the learning environment [CITATION
cultural humility \l 1033 ].
Regardless of whether we are in an academic or clinical environment, cultural humility is
necessary because of our diverse population. If we aspire to teach culturally competent nurses
then, as educators, we must set the example by showing and continually working on our cultural
humility.
Sources
Abdul-Raheem, J. (2018). Cultural Humility in Nursing Education. Journal of
Cultural Diversity, 66-73.
Attum, B., Waheed, A., & Shamoon, Z. (2020, February 17). Cultural Competence in the Care
of Muslim Patients and Their Families. Retrieved from National Center for
Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499933/
Foronda, C., Baptiste, D., Reinholdt, M. M., & Ousman, K. (2016). Cultural humility: A concept
analysis. Journal of Transcultural Nursing: Official Journal of the Transcultural Nursing
Society, 27(3), 210–217. doi:10.1177/1043659615592677
Isaacson, M. (2014). Clarifying concepts: Cultural humility or competency. Journal of
Professional Nursing, 30(3), 251–258. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.09.011
Szucs, L. E., Shipley, M., McNeill, E. ‘., Housman, J., & Vinal, C. (2019). Developing
Preservice Teachers’ Cultural Competency Through Urban Immersion. American
Journal of Health Studies, 69-79.
Dr. Lupica,
I feel that it is very important to anticipate the preferences of all patients when assigning them a
nurse. When I worked as a charge nurse I often took the patient’s culture and/or personality into
consideration when doing the next shift’s assignments but my main priority was always based on
patient acuity and nurse experience. While it would be ideal to assign nurses based on patient
