Incorporating mindfulness into your practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) when engaging with patients and their cultural beliefs involves several strategies:
1. Active Listening: Engage fully with patients, demonstrating genuine interest in their narratives. This practice, rooted in mindfulness, fosters trust and acknowledges the importance of their cultural background (Krasner et al., 2009).
2. Culturally Sensitive Communication: Mindful communication, including clear, respectful language, helps ensure that patients understand their care and promotes cultural sensitivity (Truong, Paradies, & Priest, 2014).
3. Ongoing Education: Pursue continuous learning about various cultural health beliefs and practices. This proactive approach supports cultural competence and enhances patient interactions (Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Park, 2005).
4. Self-awareness: Practice mindfulness in recognizing personal biases and ensure they do not influence patient care. This level of self-awareness can improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction (Epstein, 1999).
5. Respect and Inclusion: Proactively respect and include patients’ cultural beliefs in their healthcare plan, provided they don’t negatively impact health outcomes (Saha, Beach, & Cooper, 2008).
The practice of mindfulness and proactive engagement with patients’ cultural beliefs may differ between an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared nurse due to their different levels of education, scope of practice, and responsibilities.
APRNs, with their advanced education and training, are expected to have a deeper understanding of cultural competence and its impact on patient care. They often have more autonomy in decision-making and are in leadership roles, making them key players in advocating for and implementing culturally sensitive care policies (Hansen-Turton, Ware, Bond, Doria, & Cunningham, 2006).
In contrast, BSN-prepared nurses also practice cultural competence and mindfulness but often within the framework set by their organizations and under the guidance of APRNs or physicians. Their role often involves direct patient care and they have a crucial role in implementing the care plan in a culturally sensitive manner (Koithan & Page, 2019).
Both APRNs and BSN-prepared nurses have a shared responsibility to practice mindfulness and cultural competence. However, the level of leadership, autonomy, and scope of practice may differ, influencing the way they engage with patients and their cultural beliefs.
References:
1. Krasner, M. S., Epstein, R. M., Beckman, H., Suchman, A. L., Chapman, B., Mooney, C. J., & Quill, T. E. (2009). Association of an educational program in mindful communication with burnout, empathy, and attitudes among primary care physicians. JAMA, 302(12), 1284-1293.
2. Truong, M., Paradies, Y., & Priest, N. (2014). Interventions to improve cultural competency in healthcare: a systematic review of reviews. BMC Health Services Research, 14(1), 99.
3. Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Park, E. R. (2005). Cultural competence and health care disparities: key perspectives and trends. Health affairs, 24(2), 499-505.
4. Epstein, R. M. (1999). Mindful practice. JAMA, 282(9), 833-839.
5. Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2008). Patient centeredness, cultural competence and healthcare quality. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(11), 1275-1285.
1. Hansen-Turton, T., Ware, J., Bond, L., Doria, N., & Cunningham, P. (2006). Are Managed Care Organizations in the United States Impeding the Delivery of Primary Care by Nurse Practitioners? A 2012 Update on Managed Care Organization Credentialing and Reimbursement Practices. Population Health Management, 9(3), 211-220.
2. Koithan, M., & Page, N. (2019). The role of the nurse as a patient advocate in the 21st century. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(4), 282-287.