NSG 4074 Week 2 Project-Culturally Competent Nursing

In this week’s assignment, we will interview someone from a different cultural background. We are to use the Purnell Model and its twelve domains. Along with the Purnell Model, we are to utilize the assigned assessment questions to discuss the health practices of that particular culture. The person I chose is a longtime childhood friend of Nicaraguan descent. Her initials are W. Z., and she resides in St. Augustine, FL.

My longtime friend and I met in high school. We share a couple of similar classes, and a friendship started when we realized we had much in common. My friend and most of her family also practice Jehovah’s Witnesses. While in high school, my aunt took my siblings and me to the weekly assemblies of the Jehovah’s Witnesses while my mother worked. It was a coincidence when we both saw each other at church services. After high school, we lost touch for quite some time and ended up reconnecting through Facebook.

W.Z. and I have known each other for over 20 years, sharing many similarities and differences. We are similar because we both are of Hispanic origin. We are from different countries, even though we share the same language. My family originated from Puerto Rico and moved to Massachusetts in the early 1980’s.

As far as religion is concerned, my mother never gave much thought. She was too busy working that since my Aunt took care of us while she worked, we ended up going with her. Religion is a big part of W.Z…, and because of this, her decisions are derived from religious beliefs. W.Z. does not believe she is receiving any blood transfusions, nor does she partake in receiving certain things due to her religious preferences. She and her family are very conservative.

The other aspects of her life, partly from Nicaraguan culture, make her opt for a more natural approach to her healthcare. She is a minimalist regarding her health, opting for a more nutritionally balanced approach. She would instead care for her and her family’s needs through preventative maintenance. She also says this is also due to the health care in Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, the residents do not have to pay for health care. There are some costs, but it is relatively inexpensive. The downside to the healthcare in Nicaragua is the lack of specialized equipment. If a resident needs more specialized care, they are told to head to the U.S. Most Nicaraguans pay for an insurance called MedEvac, which allows for air transportation in an emergency. According to International Living, “Without question, Nicaragua offers high-quality healthcare with several specialized healthcare centers/hospitals in the greater Managua area.” (International Living, 2018)