Predictors of Hospital Nurses' Cultural Competence: The Value of Diversity Training.

Background: RNs must be culturally competent to facilitate optimal health outcomes for diverse patients and families. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with cultural competence in hospital nurses. Method: In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, the Cultural Competence Assessment Tool was administered to RNs (N = 74) from a 500-bed urban medical center in the southeastern United States. The mean age of participants averaged 40.6 (SD = 11.0) years, and most participants were White (63%) and had encountered more than five (66%) different cultures in their work environment in the prior 12 months. Forty-two percent had received two or more different types of diversity training (M = 1.6, SD = 1.1). Results: Mean score for overall cultural competence was 7.3 (SD = 0.8) on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = highest possible). Years of education was positively associated with diversity training (r = 0.31, p < .01) and cultural competence (r = 0.25, p < .05). Only diversity training predicted greater cultural competence beta= 0.40, p = .001). Conclusion: Results suggest that diversity training is associated with greater cultural competence. Further research is needed to identify optimal types, dose, and frequency of diversity training to enhance overall cultural competence.