Home

Transcultural Nursing

The movement of people around the globe is a dramatic feature of our modern world. As individuals go places, they cross international boundaries and interact with others. Canada is no stranger to this phenomenon; we are described as a multicultural society. Canada reflects a vast diversity of cultural heritage and racial groups which is a result of centuries of immigration. Immigration in the early years was primarily of European origin, and it was not until the 1970�s that the majority of immigrants have been people of color.

In today's health care environment, an ever-increasing number of those who are served by the system come from traditions based on non-Western, non European medical traditions, religions, and philosophies, values and world views. Salimbene, 1999, p.24)

As a policy, the Canadian government embraces multiculturalism and a pluralistic society. Today, with globalization, and the ever increasing movement of people from one country to another, the challenge of appreciating and accommodating cultural differences has become a world-wide experience and challenge. With increased recognition of our multiculturalism, there is an acknowledged need to improve cultural awareness among health care workers.

For nursing students, keeping current with issues emerging from the changing face of this planet is important. Rozzano Locsin (2000) wrote that "nurses must become more knowledgeable about international health issues, including the practice of nursing in other countries (p. 3)." She identified international nursing and global health as gaining importance in nursing in today�s world and an essential component of clinical practice.