Cultural Assessment of the Korean American

Cultural competence in nursing is imperative for effective patient care. A nurse must know his or her own values and beliefs as well as knowing about a patient cultural practices in relation to healthcare. Cultural competence is defined by some as: “the learned, shared and transmitted values, beliefs, norms and lifeways of a particular group that guides their thinking, decisions and actions.” Also it is noted that an important change to this definition is “the recognition of the dynamic,

The term culture is defined as “the thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups” (Potter & Perry, 2013). With the increase of culturally diverse populations in the United States, it is important for nurses to practice cultural competence. Cultural competence is the ability to acquire specific behaviors, skills, attitudes, and policies in a system that permits “effective work in a cross-cultural setting” (OMH, 2013). Being culturally competent is essential because nurses who acknowledges and respects a patient’s health beliefs and practices are more likely to have positive health outcomes (OMH, 2012). Every culture has certain views and attitudes concerning

Cultural competence can be defined as using the ability of one’s awareness, attitude, knowledge and skill to effectively interact with a patient’s many cultural differences. Madeline Leininger, a pioneer on transcultural nursing describes it this way; “a formal area of study and practice focused on comparative human-care differences and similarities of the beliefs, values and patterned lifeways of cultures to provide culturally congruent, meaningful, and beneficial health care to people” (Barker, 2009, p. 498). The importance of cultural diversity in healthcare allows for the delivery of appropriate cultural autonomy. Showing respect for others will lead to trust between nurse and

Culture is a system of beliefs that are shared and communicated within a certain group of people, along with behavioral expectations and values that provide a framework to live by. No two people practice culture the exact same way. In the healthcare setting, especially in the United States, nurses and other healthcare workers are exposed to many different cultures. Being a culturally competent nurse ensures that individuals, families, and different groups of society get customized care that is well planned and implemented (Taylor, Lillis, & Lynn, 2015).

Previous research reveals that Korean-Americans are considered the most separated from the rest of the society, both culturally and ethnically. Study used Berry (1997)’s strategies of assimilation, integration, separation and marginalization and three main dimensions of cultural orientations; language, identity and behaviors (Choi et al. 2014). Study included youth who are highly integrated in society; born in the US or immigrated at a young age; proficient in both English and mainstream behavior practices whereas their parents known to be culturally separated and the family socialization processes largely Korean (combination of high acculturation and high enculturation, characterizing integration). Researchers used years of residence and nativity

how about we make it about a Korean-American? A fourth generation Korean-American relocates to his families home city Busan in Korea. Where ends up learning about more about his roots, the Korean language,and Korean culture. Follow his hilarious journey in Korea as he tries to solves trials and tribulations due to culture shock.

Cultural competency is important when caring for patients whose culture is different than yours. A person’s background, upbringing, and set of beliefs shape the way they interact with healthcare personnel, guide the way they ask for and receive help, and play a role in their understanding and approach to their health. It is important to understand where the patient is coming from so that they can get the most out of their health care experience and ultimately have “improved health outcomes” (Brannon 2009, p. 4). This concept is especially important nowadays not only because the demographics of the United States is continually changing, but also due to the fact that these diverse groups tend to “maintain their cultural uniqueness” as opposed

The cultural role of the Korean American adoptee was largely established during the 1950s and 1960s as a result of media attention given to this small group of Korean immigrants who arrived in the United States when almost all other Asian nationals were barred from legal American immigration. During this time, the U.S. was governed by a strict policy of Asian exclusion that had been in effect in some form since 1882. So, even the trope of the Korean adoptees as “exceptional” among American peoples of color and among immigrants began with this small group of adoptees, who are now the elders of Korean adoptee communities in the United States and throughout the world.

I have not participated in any Korean extracurricular clubs because of the fact that I participate in many other clubs such as chess, health and fitness, code interactive, and board game club. However, I have participated in Ms. Kang's Movie nights in 9th grade. In these movie nights, we would watch Korean movies in order to expose us to Korean lifestyles and improve our ability to better listen to Korean. Through these movie nights I learned of the vast differences between Koreans and Americans. One very important difference being Korean’s importance in respect. Korean people are respectful to everyone they meet and are happy to do so. There are even two ways to talk in Korean that are considered respectful, those being informal polite and formal polite. In my everyday life I see Americans disrespect one another for the smallest things such as a little accidental push, or forgetting their name. However, in these movies I noticed how passionate and excited both are on their culture. Korean people become siblings in their Chuseok, just as Americans thank everyone and everything for their lives in Thanksgiving.

Diversity based on ethnic background, religion, race, and language is rising each day. Due to globalization multiculturalism is increasing. The healthcare providers are responsible for practicing according to the different culture. Since nurses are the main advocates for their patient they should provide maximum holistic and culturally competent care to their clients. Nurses should take of the patients as the patients want to be treated. In order to provide best quality of care, nurses should be educated in cultural competence. Adapting to different cultural beliefs and practices requires flexibility and a respect for others view points. According to the textbook, cultural competence is having “the attitude, knowledge, and skills necessary for providing quality care to diverse population.” Cultural competent nurses have the ability to work effectively across cultures. The main aim of the nurses is to provide patient-centered care with an emphasis on the patients’ specific needs that are formed by their culture.

It can be argued that the development of cultural competence does not occur in a short encounter with cultural diversity but that it takes time to develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to safely and satisfactorily deliver cultural care - a

When Athenians first saw playwright Aeschylus’ The Persians, they did not cheer at the tragic fall of their sworn enemies. They did not yell in a heightened euphoria of victory, nor did they stamp their feet in chanting triumph. Instead, they wept. They wept for their enemy’s tragic, human flaw, and for their resulting demise. When I learned of this, I was utterly confused. Why would one be sympathetic toward an adversary, let alone during a time of war? I then realized that the Athenians were capable of compassion because they were able to look past their perceived enmity with the Persians, no matter how briefly, and relate with them through a common human fault. This led to a fundamental change in my sense of identity and how I viewed other people. I

Cultural competence is focused on learned behaviors and actions and can be pertain and individual, organization or policy (Oelke, Thurston, & Arthur, 2013). Ideally, a healthcare providers’ practice would only be influenced by the individual patient and/or the community of which the patient resides. But in reality, the healthcare providers’ practice and care is influenced by many entities, such as the

All over the world, cultures are represented and presented very differently. It is in everything we do and see. This is what defines almost everyone today. There are many cultures; Korean, American, Indian and many more. Korean and American cultures are similar but unique in their own ways. When looking at Korean and American cultures, they both have different views on school systems, entertainment and food.

Manners represent an individual by the way they dress, behave, communicate, and their etiquette, while customs refer to the traditional way that a culture is practice individually, or by a group of people. Workers are expected to bow to their seniors when they greet them, and to use only formal language to their seniors, as it is rude to speak informally to someone of higher rank. In Korean businesses, meetings are often held in evenings at a restaurant or bar. Drinking is part of the Korean culture, as Koreans believe that drinking helps to bond colleagues in the company, and an offered drink must never be refused as it is considered to be rude. Along with drinking, Karaoke is a popular activity after meetings. People who attend the meeting are usually expected to sing a solo song.