Cultural competence in psychiatric mental health nursing. A conceptual model.

A conceptual model for enhancing cultural competence in psychiatric nursing is presented, which encourages psychiatric nurses to see themselves as always in the process of becoming culturally competent, rather than being culturally competent.

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual model for enhancing cultural competence in psychiatric nursing. The model, The Culturally Competent Model of Care, views cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, and cultural encounter as critical components of cultural competence. In this dynamic model, cultural competence is viewed as a process, not an end-point in which the psychiatric nurse continuously strives to effectively work within the cultural context of individuals, families, and/or communities from diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds. The Culturally Competent Model of Care encourages psychiatric nurses to see themselves as always in the process of becoming culturally competent, rather than being culturally competent.