Cultural Competency in Health Care

Jenny is a White nurse practitioner at a large community hospital. She was educated at one of the best nursing programs in a large urban city and she prides herself on being fair and equal to all her patients. She turned down many jobs at private hospitals because they did not have a diverse clientele. One day Jenny is working with an Hispanic patient who speaks with a heavy accent. Becoming a little frustrated Jenny asked the patient to speak slower and clearer because she does not understand Mexican very well. The patient becomes visibly upset and becomes very short with his answers. When the session is over the patient leaves the room, angrily speaking to himself in Spanish. Jenny didn’t understand why the patient was angry, and from that point on avoided working with Hispanic patients.

What do you think happened here?

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