TROY — Diversifying the demographic of nurses is important so they can mirror the faces of the communities they serve and help patients understand and follow their recommended health care plans at home.

Intercultural communication between nurses and their patients is essential in today’s global society. It’s projected that by 2050, minorities will represent half of the U.S. population. 

Nursing schools are incorporating programs and multicultural opportunities to increase the number of bilingual and culturally diverse nurses. Chamberlain College of Nursing’s new Troy campus, which just opened for classes this January, is among these institutions. 

“As the baby boomer generation ages and new healthcare policies expand healthcare coverage to a larger population, there is an essential need for a new generation of nurses that reflects the diverse U.S. population,” said Chamberlain College of Nursing Troy campus dean, Jaime Sinutko. “In order to ensure students from all backgrounds feel accepted and supported throughout their nursing education, Chamberlain College of Nursing treats each student with individual care and sensitivity.” 

Sinutko said Chamberlain faculty and staff are committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel comfortable, engaged and supported in their degree program. The Troy campus has special scrubs that adhere to Arab American students’ cultural dress; and this month the campus was expected to send an Arab American student to a conference on diabetes management for Middle Eastern patients, sponsored by the National American Arab Nurses Association (NAANA).

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs in nursing. The college operates 17 campuses nationwide and also offers online nursing degrees. 

“Chamberlain College of Nursing is committed to preparing student nurses to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills to provide extraordinary care,” Sinutko said. “Part of this commitment means removing barriers that may have historically prevented culturally diverse nurses from entering the workforce.”

While Chamberlain does not have a program specifically for Arab American students, Sinutko said the Chamberlain Care approach supports the needs of all of its students. This includes addressing unique cultural needs of students, which may mean, for example, recommending they join helpful minority organizations such as the NAANA to help develop a diverse nursing workforce, and offering opportunities for students to care for diverse populations.

Some Arab American students at Chamberlain’s Troy campus wear hijabs and long, modest skirts each day. For their upcoming clinical course, they requested an alternative to the standard scrub pants. The campus dean, student services advisor and clinical coordinator worked together to identify a long, ankle-length scrub skirt option that complied with the students’ needs while also meeting the clinical site’s requirements.

One Chamberlain College professor contacted the executive director of NAANA and helped coordinate a workshop for students and colleagues to gain greater understanding of the cultural differences of the Arab American community. 

The Detroit area is home to more than 400,000 Arab Americans. 

“Nurses are trained to provide excellent care for all patients, regardless of their cultural beliefs, practices and religion,” Sinutko said. “However, having a nurse who understands his/her patient’s culture can improve healthcare outcomes through a common understanding of cultural needs. The Detroit area could benefit from a more diverse healthcare population; and meeting the needs of all students and ensuring their cultural needs and expectations are met in the classroom is a priority at Chamberlain College of Nursing’s Troy campus.” 

In today’s global society, nurses care for patients with diverse cultural backgrounds and expectations about the role of healthcare in their own lives. The role of medicine and healthcare practices can vary greatly from culture to culture.

“Though often unintentional, cultural insensitivity by medical staff can hinder a positive patient experience and even physical health,” Sinutko said. “When patients feel understood by their nurse, they are more likely to trust his or her recommendations, which can improve their health outcomes following discharge from the clinical setting.”

She added that varying diet, habits and beliefs about medical treatment can make certain populations of patients more prone to specific health risks. 

“A nurse who is familiar with a patient’s culture can more easily identify their belief system and habits, setting the stage for better addressing patient needs,” Sinutko said.