With the nursing shortage in full effect and the dramatic increase in the Hispanic population, the need for Hispanic nurses is apparent. Statistically, the nursing staff at various hospitals in the western region of the United States falls short of serving the needs of the Hispanic population (Health Resources, 2000). An increase in Hispanic nurses would benefit the population. Because the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has required healthcare organizations to provide culturally and linguistically competent care that is sensitive to America’s ethnically diverse population, employers are hiring bilingual Hispanic nurses who have first-hand knowledge of the Hispanic culture (Carol, 2004).
Translators are a great resource for communication, but sometimes words do get “lost in translation.” Translation often creates a barrier between the nurse and the patient. The nurse then has to enforce her non-verbal communication skills and remember to be culturally competent (Giger, 2007).
Felipe Gutierrez, who holds a Master’s degree in nursing, is an advanced practice nurse in San Diego. He estimates that at least half of the population he cares for is Hispanic. He states that “When people are ill, they tend to revert back to their native language because they are more comfortable.” As a Spanish speaker and as a fellow Latino, Felipe can provide culturally competent care in a timely manner and with ease (Carol, 2004).
Another example is Salvador Alonzo from Yuma, Arizona. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and uses cultural understanding to accommodate his patients and their families. He understands that for Latinos, family is a sacred institution. Hospitals tend to have an “only two visitors at a time” rule, but to an ill Latino, it is important for him to have all of his family at his bedside, “which a lot of Caucasian nurses complain about” says Alonzo. The solution that Alonzo provides is asking the other patient in the room if he minds more than two people being in the room; if the other patient minds, then only two visitors will stay (Carol, 2004).
Religion is also an important factor affecting Hispanic cultural competence. Hispanics are predominantly Catholic (Valdes, 1996). Sometimes the families of Hispanic patients want to affix crucifixes to the headboard of their family member’s bed and some Caucasian nurses forbid them from doing so (Carol, 2004). Alonzo lets them tape it to the wall or a bulletin board (Carol, 2004). Some patients he has come across have never even seen a doctor; they usually go see a curandero or a healer-something nurses need to be culturally sensitive about (Giger, 2007). He also knows how important herbal remedies are in the Hispanic culture. Nurses who are unfamiliar with these remedies may forbid the patient from ingesting them in fear that it might cause greater harm (Giger, 2007).
Hispanic Nurse (Texas Gulf Coast Nursing, 2007)
Due to the nationwide nursing shortage, there has been an increase in job security and higher wages for nurses, which has made the nursing profession more appealing to Hispanics (Carol, 2004). With an increase in financial institutions dedicated to aid Latinos to get through nursing school like the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), we see the numbers increase. As the cost of living increases, and poverty increases in the Hispanic community (National Research Council, 2006), the fervor and drive to pursue a career in nursing grows stronger and the mindset of that Latino quickly turns to “Si se puede!”
Nurse of Mexican Origin with her Counterpart (UNAM, 2005)
References
Burkhardt, M.A. & Nathaniel, A.K. (2007). Ethics & Issues in Contemporary Nursing, 3rd Edition. Delmar Publishing.
Carol, R. (2004). Hispanic Men in Nursing. Retrieved January 24, 2008, from http://www.minoritynurse.com/features/nurse_emp/11-01-04a.html.
Dellagloria, R. (2003). The Nurse Shortage. Hispanic Magazine.com. Retrieved November 30, 2007, from http://www.hispaniconline.com/magazine/2003/oct/features/nurse.html.
Giger, J. & Davidhizar, R. (2007). Transcultural Nursing, 5th edition. Mosby Elsevier.
Health Resources and Services Administration. (2000). The Registered Nurse Population. Registered Nurses in the U.S. Retrieved November 29, 2007, from http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/nursing/samplesurvey00/chapter2.htm.
Ramirez, R. & De la Cruz, P. (2003) The Hispanic Population in the United States. Retrieved March 1, 2008 from http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/p20-545.pdf.
The National Research Council. (2006). Hispanics and the Future of America. Washington D.C: National Academies.
Valdes, G. (1996). Con Respeto. New York: Teachers College Press.
University of North Carolina (2006). Prerequisites to Providing Culturally Competent Care. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 28-33.
