Perceptions of first line nurse managers managing in a culturally diverse environment

Canada is a culturally diverse society with immigration trends that continue to accentuate the cultural diversity. In health care, staff from diverse cultural backgrounds provide care for equally diverse patient populations. Transcultural care poses several challenges for nurses. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that the needs of culturally diverse clients are not always met. This has implications for first line nurse managers who are responsible for ensuring a high quality of patient care and a harmonious work environment. There are few studies that examine first line nurse managers managing in a climate of cultural diversity of staff members and patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of first line nurse managers managing in a culturally diverse environment. A descriptive design was used given the limited research on this topic. A purposive sample was selected from each of three hospitals in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia for the purpose of focus groups. Each of these hospitals had staff members from diverse cultural backgrounds serving diverse patient populations. Between six and eight first line nurse managers participated in each of three focus groups. Data were examined using latent content analysis, with segments of data coded into categories from which themes emerged. The findings of the study revealed that managing in a culturally diverse environment is very complex and challenging for first line nurse managers. The challenges of difficulties in communication, differing expectations and behavioural norms, and conflict resolution were areas of major concern for first line nurse managers. Both facilitators and barriers to managing in a culturally diverse environment became apparent. Facilitators included the hospital philosophy and policies, resources and services, matching cultural profiles, and celebrating cultural differences. The absence of any of these facilitators can create a barrier to valuing cultural diversity. Additional barriers included discrimination, lack of knowledge about other cultures, and decreasing financial resources. Finally, it appears that culturally diverse patients may receive a lower standard of care in some instances due to the inability of staff to meet their unique needs. The quality of transcultural care is dependent to some extent on the presence or absence of facilitators and barriers. Implications for nursing practice, research, education, and hospital administration were identified from the findings.

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