Cultural competence in nursing is crucial to improve patient care, especially because health systems are used more and more various populations. He includes awareness of his own cultural influences, understanding the cultural history of patients and the integration of this knowledge in the practice of health care. This set of skills is essential to meet the unique needs of varied demography, thus improving the experiences and results of health care (Kersey-Matsiak, 2024).
Health practitioners who show cultural competence present specific practices that facilitate better patient interactions. For example, effective communication is fundamental; Practitioners must ensure that they are understood and that they include the needs of their patients (Fenkl and Purnell, 2024). This may include the provision of linguistic services for non-native speakers or nuanced approaches to discuss health-related issues, which can differ according to cultural beliefs (Barrio-Ruiz et al., 2024). Training programs focused on cultural humility, rather than on competence, cultivate an attitude of learning patients, thus promoting an environment more focused on the patient (therefore et al., 2024). In addition, the use of culturally appropriate food considerations is essential in nursing care, in particular for populations with specific food restrictions based on cultural practices (RAJ, Silva & Khan, 2024).
Despite these practices, the nurses meet several challenges in the application of cultural competence. One of the important obstacles is the systemic bias and the lack of training in nursing training programs (Robinson-Barella et al., 2024). The educational program often does not deal with sufficient complexities of cultural problems in health care, leading to insufficiently prepared practitioners (Jarrar et al., 2024). In addition, time constraints and organizational resources can prevent nurses from fully engaging in culturally competent practices (Gradellini et al., 2024). Likewise, challenges of recognition and overcoming their prejudices can hinder the provision of fair care (Hincapié-Carvajal et al., 2025).
The propensity for a misinterpretation of the symptoms and concerns of patients, especially in individuals of immigrants or minorities, can differ from individuals of immigrants or minorities (Olorunsogo and Babawarun, 2024). The reluctance of certain patients to disclose information on relevant health due to the fear of stigma or discrimination still exacerbates this question, stressing the importance of establishing confidence by cultural conscious practices (Lauwers et al., 2024).
Despite these challenges, the advantages of cultural competence in nursing are multiple. One of the most important advantages is the increased satisfaction of patients. When health care providers have empathy and understanding the cultural context of a patient, it results in a more confident relationship (Roberson, n.d.). This increased confidence can lead to better adhesion of patients to treatment protocols and to improve health results (Katta and Davoody, 2025). For example, culturally competent nursing can considerably improve health care experiences for LGBTQ +individuals, who are often faced with discrimination in clinical environment (Boekeloo et al., 2024). In addition, culturally tailor -made mental health interventions can improve the therapeutic alliance between providers and customers, leading to more effective care (Basu et al., 2025).
Cultural competence not only promotes better relationships between health care providers and patients, but also contributes to a more equitable health system. By recognizing and approaching disparities in access to health and results, nurses can play a central role in advocacy for change at institutional and political levels (Tedam, 2025). In addition, culturally competent care can lead to an improvement in overall health care results, as evidenced by studies linking cultural understanding to reducing readmission rates and increased disease management (Tate et al., 2024).
In conclusion, cultural competence in nursing is an integral part of the improvement of care for patients, in particular for various populations. While challenges persist with regard to systemic training and obstacles, practices and benefits of cultural competence highlight its necessity in modern health care. While the landscape of health care continues to evolve, the promotion of cultural competence within nursing will be essential to ensure fair and effective care for all patients.
Citations
Kersey-Matusiak, G., (2024) Delivering culturally competent nursing care: Working with diverse and vulnerable populations. Springer Publishing Company. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=nPHbEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Cultural+competence+in+nursing+best+practices+for+patient+care+and+outcomes&ots=It9DI9xrgH&sig=5V8Rv5_icXzbDggBpOD6hzGumGw
Jarrar, R., Lim, R., Richardson, C.L., Naqvi, A.A., Rathbone, A.P. and Lau, W.M., (2024) How cultural competence is conceptualised, developed and delivered in pharmacy education: a systematic review. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 46(1), pp.40-55. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11096-023-01644-3
Boekeloo, B., Fish, J., Turpin, R., Aparicio, E.M., Shin, R., Vigorito, M.A., Lare, S.M., McGraw, J.S. and King‐Marshall, E., (2024). LGBTQ+ cultural‐competence training effectiveness: Mental health organization and therapist survey outcome results from a pilot randomized controlled trial. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 31(1), p.e2893. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpp.2893
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Alanazi, M.A., Shaban, M.M., Ramadan, O.M.E., Zaky, M.E., Mohammed, H.H., Amer, F.G.M. and Shaban, M., (2024). Navigating end-of-life decision-making in nursing: a systematic review of ethical challenges and palliative care practices. BMC nursing, 23(1), p.467. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12912-024-02087-5
Basu, M., Taylor, A.J., Georgiou, M., Kageha, D., Myers, N., Wojdylak, A., Haque, Q. and Sen, P., (2025). Development of a tool for the evaluation of cultural competence of staff members at a secure forensic unit in the UK: A feasibility study. Medicine, Science and the Law, p.00258024251329208. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00258024251329208
Robinson-Barella, A., Takyi, C., Chan, H.K. and Lau, W.M., (2024). Embedding cultural competency and cultural humility in undergraduate pharmacist initial education and training: a qualitative exploration of pharmacy student perspectives. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 46(1), pp.166-176. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11096-023-01665-y
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Katta, S. and Davoody, N., (2025). Exploring Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives on Education, Awareness, and Preferences for Digital Educational Resources to Support Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Care: Interview Study. JMIR Medical Education, 11(1), p.e67993. https://mededu.jmir.org/2025/1/e67993/
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Raj, M., Silva, L.Q. and Khan, N., (2024). Building an inclusive health care system requires offering culturally inclusive foods in health care environments. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 124(6), pp.669-673. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267223017677/pdf?md5=e2787edaf6bc2dbf16654dae2d6ffc8d&pid=1-s2.0-S2212267223017677-main.pdf
Barrio‐Ruiz, C., Ruiz de Viñaspre‐Hernandez, R., Colaceci, S., Juarez‐Vela, R., Santolalla‐Arnedo, I., Durante, A. and Di Nitto, M., (2024). Language and cultural barriers and facilitators of sexual and reproductive health Care for Migrant Women in high‐income European countries: an integrative review. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 69(1), pp.71-90. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmwh.13545
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