Throughout the centuries, nursing has been a dynamic, continuously evolving entity, changing and adapting in response to a wide range of stimuli. Changes in societal norms and expectations, discoveries of new medical treatments, developments in highly sophisticated technical systems, and breakthroughs in pharmaceutical treatments have helped shape contemporary nursing practice. Another recent trend that has influenced nursing considerably is the consumer mandate for culturally competent care in an increasingly diverse, multicultural society.

The ability to provide culturally competent care is especially important for critical care nurses, who function in high-acuity, high-stress healthcare environments. Critical care nurses must develop cultural competency to be effective in establishing rapport with patients, and to accurately assess, develop, and implement nursing interventions designed to meet patients’ needs. As patients’ advocates, critical care nurses are required to support decisions made by patients or patients’ families that may reflect a cultural perspective that conflicts with mainstream healthcare...

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