Advanced Practice Nurse Leadership to Ensure Culturally Competent Care Example

Health inequities refer to disparities in healthcare outcomes resulting from systemic, social, and economic factors that are avoidable, unfair, and unjust and can create unequal health opportunities (Lee et al., 2020). Culturally competent care is crucial in reducing health inequities. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can significantly address health inequities by assuming leadership positions in healthcare systems. APNs are uniquely qualified to lead efforts to reduce health inequities by promoting culturally competent care.

Advanced practice nurse health system leaders are essential in reducing health inequities by implementing strategies that ensure culturally competent care to diverse populations. APNs can identify and address language barriers, cultural beliefs, and practices that may impact patient care (Swihart & Martin, 2022). They can also ensure culturally competent care by hiring a diverse workforce that reflects the patient population to be served. Culturally competent care must also be integrated into healthcare policies, procedures, and practices.

One example of how APN health system leaders can reduce health inequities is by addressing the mental health needs of culturally diverse populations. APNs can lead efforts to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that improve mental health outcomes for diverse populations by ensuring that mental health services are culturally appropriate and address the unique needs of patients from different backgrounds. APN leaders can also promote cultural competence by ensuring that interdisciplinary teams are trained in cultural sensitivity, communication, and awareness of the social determinants of health (Liu et al., 2022). Furthermore, APNs can advocate for policy changes that address health inequities by engaging in advocacy efforts to reduce healthcare disparities in underserved communities, such as policies on improved access to care for vulnerable populations.

As discussed above, advanced practice nurses can play a crucial role in reducing health inequities and ensuring culturally competent care. APN health system leaders can lead efforts to identify and address language barriers, cultural beliefs, and practices, hire a diverse workforce, and develop evidence-based interventions that are culturally appropriate. APN leaders can also engage in advocacy efforts to reduce healthcare disparities in underserved communities. These actions can help ensure all patients receive accessible, equitable, and culturally competent care.

References

Lee, H., Kim, D., Lee, S., & Fawcett, J. (2020). The concepts of health inequality, disparities, and equity in the era of population health. Applied Nursing Research, 56, 151367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151367

Liu, T.-T., Chen, M.-Y., Chang, Y.-M., & Lin, M.-H. (2022). A preliminary study on the cultural competence of nurse practitioners and its affecting factors. Healthcare, 10(4), 678. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040678