Beyond challenges and enrichment: a qualitative account of cross-cultural experiences of nursing ethnic minority patients in Norway

Abstract

Background: Substantial mass migrations to the Scandinavian countries have made them heterogeneous and multicultural societies. Migration has also influenced the workforce, especially the healthcare system that has had to accommodate a culturally diverse population. This qualitative study aimed to explore nurses’ experiences in caring for ethnic minority patients.Methods: Focus group interviews with a total of 21 nurses were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed and translated interviews.Results: The finding of this study revealed three major themes: communicational challenges, cultural challenges, and perks and perils of cross-cultural care.Conclusions: Caring for culturally diverse patients offers both challenges and opportunities to enhance cultural competence and cultural sensitivity among nurses. Various culturally divergent needs of patients such as family visits, food preferences, expression of pain, and gender sensitivity are interlinked and depend on effective communication during encounters with nurses and the healthcare system at large.