Registered nurses' cultural orientation competence for culturally and linguistically diverse nurses in the hospital setting: A cross-sectional study

Aims: To explore registered nurses' cultural orientation competence profiles for providing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) nurses with orientation in the hospital setting, and to identify which factors are associated with cultural orientation competence profiles. Design: A descriptive, explorative cross-sectional study. Methods: Data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021 using the Preceptors' Orientation Competence Instrument (POCI) and Preceptors' Cultural Orientation Competence Instrument (POCCI). A total of 844 registered nurses from one university hospital district in Finland participated, reflecting a response rate of 10%. A K-means cluster algorithm was employed to identify different cultural orientation competence profiles. Results: The cluster analysis identified three cultural orientation competence profiles (A, B and C). Nurses in Profile A evaluated their cultural orientation competence the highest, with members of profiles B and C demonstrating the second highest and lowest, respectively, cultural orientation competence scores. Several factors were associated with cultural orientation competence profiles, namely, orientation education and student mentoring education, support from managers and colleagues, motivation, willingness to act as a preceptor, time to provide orientation, sufficient clinical and theoretical nursing skills and current work title. Conclusion: Cultural diversity and acceptance of it can be enhanced by building accepting culture towards new incomers and offering continuing education to improve the cultural competence of staff, which can further benefit patient care of CALD patients. Orientation practices can be improved by rewarding staff and building collaborative teamwork culture. Implications for Profession and/or Patient Care: Organizations can strengthen nurses' cultural orientation competence; for example, by providing adequate orientation education and allocating more time to the orientation process. Reporting Method: The STROBE criteria were used to report the results of the observations critically. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.