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

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 patients with an ethnic minority background. METHODS: Focus group interviews with a total of 21 nurses were conducted. Thematic analysis was performed on the transcribed and translated interviews. RESULTS: The findings of this study revealed three major themes: various experiences concerning language barriers and the use of interpreters, the impact of religious and cultural values, and caring for patients with an ethnic minority background is professionally interesting but demanding. 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.