Running Head: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: CULTURAL BARRIERS 1

Fear of the Unknown: Cultural Barriers

Karla Soto Figueroa

NURS 209

November 28th, 2016

Humber College
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Introduction

The majority of people think that nursing, along with any type of medical care, focuses

on what is physically wrong with a patient, but that is not all that nurses focus on. A big part of

nursing also includes one-on-one care. This means that the nurse and his or her patient develop a

relationship that is based on trust, but in order to earn trust, the nurse and patient must be on the

same page. In order to achieve this, nurses must be able to accommodate to each situation and, in

Canada, nurses face a common barrier: the language barrier.

Nursing Diagnosis

The case that was chosen consists of a six-year-old child of new immigrants with croup.

The nursing diagnosis that will be addressed in this paper is impaired communication and

understanding related to language barrier. Not being able to understand anyone, not knowing

how to form simple sentences, ask for directions, or even being able to ask for help can be quite

frustrating to a new immigrant (Personal Experience). Lack of fluency in a dominant language

has been a great barrier for those working in the medical field (Perry, et al., 2013), as well as for

the immigrant. Because of Canadas multiculturalism, the incidents regarding language barriers

happen very often. Nurses are responsible for providing culturally competent care (Perry, et al.,

2013), advocate for their patients, and must find a translator (Yoder-Wise, Grant, & Regan, 2015)

so that the client can give informed consent (Canadian Nurses Association, 2008).

Earning Trust

Language barriers can also have a negative impact on the clients quality of care and

patient outcome (Iranzi). Earning trust is a very important part of nursing care. Establishing a

good nurse-client relationship is essential for the clients well-being because of the vulnerability

of the client (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2006). Learning basic words or sentences in the
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familys language can help achieve trust and better understanding between the client and the

nurse (Perry, et al., 2013). Just trying to communicate, whether it is by verbal or even hand

gestures, can make a difference as to how the client feels (Personal Experience).

Culturally Competent Care

Culturally competent care is not simply client-oriented, but family oriented as well

(Perry, et al., 2013). The process of translation of illness, disease, and treatment can be complex

(Yoder-Wise, Grant, & Regan, 2015). By providing culturally competent care, it can focus on

figuring out the familys interests, preferences, needs, and meaning of illness (Perry, et al., 2013).

Small children already have a difficult time adjusting to change, especially leaving everything

behind (Personal Experience). Children in an unknown place, such as a hospital, will feel more

comfortable when they are served familiar foods (Perry, et al., 2013). For example, Chileans are

not accustomed to eating canned foods, boxed foods, or frozen foods, and can take a toll on

eating habits and proper nutrition (Personal Experience). Concern of differences in food habits

shows respect for the clients cultural and religious habits, which can help with the therapeutic

nurse-client relationship (Perry, et al., 2013).

Collaborative Care Providers

There are a variety of resources available for nurses that will help provide the best quality

care for their patients. Specifically, for this case, a dietician, social worker, and a language

interpreter can help facilitate communication between the nurse and the client. The language

interpreter can give the family a sense of comfort and ensure linguistic equivalence (Yoder-Wise,

Grant, & Regan, 2015) so that the family and the nurse can comprehend each other. The

translator can also help make up greeting cards, simple phrases, and names of body parts with
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pictures that can facilitate the language barrier. Dietitians, with the help of the translator, can help

the nurse develop a nutritional plan of care according to their cultural preferences (Potter, Perry,

Stockert, & Hall, 2014). Lastly, the social worker can help with a follow-up after the child is

discharged (Perry, et al., 2013) as well as providing the family with resources and counselling

(Canadian Association of Social Workers, n.d.).

Resources

YMCA Employment and Immigrant Services

Address: 20 Union St, Brampton, ON L6V 1R2

Phone: (905) 451-1400

The YMCA offers a wide variety of services including:

Child care
Language assessment
ESL class referrals
Information sessions education, employment, finance, and Canadian culture
Services can be free for those who qualify

(YMCA, n.d.)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel can:

Get kids to realize their full potential with mentoring

Create trust and supportive relationships

(Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, n.d.)

Brampton Multicultural Community Centre

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Address: 150 Central Park Drive, Suite 107, Brampton ON L6T 2T9

Phone: (905) 790-8482

The Brampton Multicultural Community Centre is dedicated to:

Enhancing new comer community engagement

Information and awareness
Money management
Transportation
Stress management

(Brampton Multicultural Community Centre, n.d.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is very hard to be an immigrant, leave all the loved ones back home,

learning a new language, and adapting to a new culture. It can be very difficult to express

feelings and can be frustrating at times, but by helping patients find resources, can make a great

difference in their lives (Personal Experience).

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References

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bbbspeel.com/en/

Brampton Multicultural Community Centre. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bmccentre.com/

Canadian Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). What is Social Work. Retrieved from Canadian

Association of Social Workers: http://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-social-work

Canadian Nurses Association. (2008). Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses. Retrieved from

Canadian Nurses Association: https://www.cna-

aiic.ca/~/media/cna/files/en/codeofethics.pdf

College of Nurses of Ontario. (2006). Practice Standard: Therapeutic Nurse-Client

Relationship. Retrieved from College of Nurses of Ontario:

https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41033_therapeutic.pdf

Iranzi, J. I. (n.d.). Impact of the Language Barrier on Immigrants and Refugees. Retrieved from

Academia:

http://www.academia.edu/9000814/Impact_of_the_language_barrier_on_immigrants_and

_Refugees

Perry, S. E., Hockenberry, M. J., Lowdermilk, D. L., Wilson, D., Keenan-Lindsay, L., & Sams,

C. A. (2013). Maternal Child Nursing Care in Canada. Toronto: Elsevier Canada.

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. M. (2014). Canadian Fundamentals of

Nursing. Toronto: Elsevier.

YMCA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ymcagta.org/employment-and-immigrant-services

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Yoder-Wise, P. S., Grant, L. G., & Regan, S. (2015). Leading and Managing in Canadian

Nursing. Toronto: Elsevier.