Nursing to Care for the Global Citizen

Personal Essay

Working towards my degree in nursing is what increases my potential to serve global citizens with compassion, understanding, care, and expertise. The nursing student undergoes special training and learns from a curriculum developed to help the nursing student know how to address health disparities and meet the needs of patients from different cultures and backgrounds. This education is a necessary one, and I feel it empowers me to give more effective, culturally sensitive care, so that every patient and patient’s family member feels respected and understood, regardless of their origin.

Problem-solving under pressure is especially important in nursing, and I have honed this skill through academic challenges and practical experience. During my internship at a busy city hospital, I encountered a situation where a non-English speaking patient was struggling to communicate his symptoms. I was able to use my basic knowledge of his language and translation apps, and thus I was able to understand his concerns and convey them to the medical team. A simple thing like language can become a big problem if it is a barrier to care. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm and thinking logically during a problem-solving situation.

In caring for someone from a culture different from my own, I intend to integrate respect, empathy, and open-mindedness into my practice. For example, I plan to educate myself on cultural norms and health practices that are unique to the patient's background, and to develop cultural competencies in line with those recommended in my studies. I aim to create a supportive environment that respects cultural differences and promotes healing by emphasizing communication and trust.