CULTURAL COMPETENCE LEVEL, ITS IMPORTANCE, AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCE AMONG NURSES CARING FOR FOREIGNERS IN KOREA

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify cultural competency, importance, and educational requirements by analyzing nurses who were experienced in nursing foreigners in secondary hospitals and hospitals all over Korea. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 210 nurses from 39 hospitals in Korea. The collected data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe test. Main Findings: Satisfaction with nursing care averaged 2.48 ± 0.45. Perceived level of cultural competence averaged 2.69 ± 0.45. Cultural nursing behavior was at the highest level with 3.05±0.62; otherwise, cultural knowledge was the lowest among the subcategories (2.27±0.55). The level of importance of cultural competency was 3.69 ± 0.53. For the subcategories, cultural nursing behavior was at the highest level (3.77±0.63) and cultural awareness was at the lowest level (3.58±0.62). Training requirements had 6.83 ± 1.32, followed by cultural communication (7.34±1.50), attitudes and skills (7.04±1.50), knowledge of basics (6.83±1.33), knowledge of key concepts (6.73±1.53), and knowledge of theory and research (6.28±1.54). Implications/Applications: We suggest developing educational programs for clinical nurses to provide high-quality care to the subjects from various cultural backgrounds by strengthening cultural competency. In addition, the active support of the medical and health care institutions in improving cultural competency of nursing nurses should be emphasized.