Increasing cultural competence, diversity and inclusion practices in the nursing workforce are key components of healthcare initiatives focused on achieving health equity. But sometimes, workplace nursing cultures can be challenging, stressful and even toxic. As role models and policymakers, nurse leaders are central to defining and creating an inclusive workplace culture — a safe, respectful and accessible space for employees and patients.
What Does Inclusivity in a Nursing Environment Involve?
An inclusive nursing environment offers a culture where everyone feels respected, valued and welcomed regardless of identifying traits such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, abilities or background. This type of environment that seeks and considers diverse perspectives and experiences facilitates open communication and acceptance.
Inclusivity encourages employee participation, collaboration and engagement so everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique skills and knowledge to provide exceptional patient care.
What Is the Role of Nurse Leaders in Creating an Inclusive Workplace Culture?
Creating an inclusive nursing environment begins with leadership. BSN-prepared nurses frequently occupy these pivotal leadership roles, so their responsibilities often include executing meaningful changes and driving cultural improvements within their teams. This cultural shift requires nurse leaders to establish policies and protocols prioritizing equity and promoting cultural competence.
As such, a quality Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, like the online Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN from Northeastern State University, can help aspiring nurse managers and leaders develop the cultural competence and leadership skills needed to form an inclusive, equitable and productive nursing workplace culture. The expansive curriculum of this ACEN-accredited program offers studies in transcultural nursing, leadership, management and ethical issues.
Still, while leadership is integral to a successful, inclusive workplace culture, it ultimately takes the efforts of all nurses to leverage that dynamic and address health inequities. When these policies are applied consistently over time, employees and patients benefit.
How Can Culturally Competent Nursing Impact Patients and Employees?
Inclusivity in the nursing environment can translate to culturally competent care. Having a diverse nursing staff that can meet patients where they are and support their values and beliefs can have a profound impact on both patients and employees.
For patients, receiving care that considers all aspects of their cultural background — from language and ethnicity to religious beliefs and practices — often leads to better outcomes. Showing respect for a patient’s unique culture can enhance trust and encourage patients to openly discuss their concerns, symptoms and treatment options without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
With improved communication, nurses can personalize care delivery and tailor interventions and strategies to reduce disparities and barriers to care. As a result, patients are more likely to seek and follow through with services and adhere to treatment.
For employees, culturally competent nursing offers many benefits as well. When nursing leaders embrace this type of care, the work environment generates a sense of belonging and respect. Valuing nurses for their distinct backgrounds and perspectives can boost morale and job satisfaction, which may reduce turnover and burnout.
An open, unbiased dialogue fosters greater communication, minimizes conflict and misunderstandings, and enriches teamwork and collaboration. Gathering input from more perspectives can lead to new policies or innovative care delivery methods.
Support Health Equity as a Nurse Leader
Health equity has become a central focus in the modern healthcare landscape. To overcome disparities, nursing leaders must promote inclusive environments that support a multifaceted workforce and patient population. They must drive culture improvements within their organizations by establishing a dynamic that celebrates diversity and nurtures cultural competence. In doing so, nurse leaders can ensure their teams are more resilient and deliver patient-centered care that strengthens health outcomes and equity.
Through courses like Nursing Leadership and Management, Northeastern State University’s online RN to BSN program prepares students to improve health equity as nurse leaders.
Learn more about Northeastern State University’s online RN to BSN program.
