The Confidence of Community Health Nurses in Caring for Ethnically Diverse Populations

Abstract

Community health nurses (N = 190) responded to a Likert‐type cultural self‐efficacy scale to determine their degree of confidence in caring for three distinct populations (blacks, Puerto Ricans and Southeast Asians). The highest confidence scores were reported for caring for the black population, the lowest ratings were reported for Southeast Asians, while Puerto Ricans fell between the other two groups. Low scores were observed on items that included knowledge of health beliefs and practices as well as beliefs about respect, authority and modesty. Higher scores were observed in using an interpreter correctly. In no instance did ratings reach even moderate levels of confidence. Results suggest that nurses do not feel confident about caring for any of the three major ethnic groups in our communities. Furthermore, this perceived weakness cuts across the three groups and across nurses' educational and demographic variables.