Cultural Competence in Rural Nursing Education: Are We There Yet?

AIM: This multimethod study assessed the capacity of nursing education programs to promote culturally congruent practice in a single rural state. BACKGROUND: An important objective of our HRSA-funded Advanced Education in Nursing grant was to increase nurse educator proficiency in teaching cultural concepts. This study served as a statewide baseline assessment to inform future faculty development efforts. METHOD: Subjects included faculty, graduate students, and clinical educators representing all levels of nursing education programs. Self-report cultural proficiency data were collected via survey while focus groups and electronic surveys were utilized to assess curricula. RESULTS: No significant differences in proficiency were found by faculty age or education. Qualitative data indicated that concepts of culture are not easily identified across the curriculum. CONCLUSION: There is need for increased and explicit focus on concepts of culture in nursing education programs to prepare nurses for culturally congruent practice with potential to reduce health disparities.