Answer

Change Project Proposal

Change Need/Problem Statement

                To continuously enhance quality and safety in nursing practice, a major requirement that demonstrates professionalism is cultural competence. According to Cai (2016), the exponential growth in the global economy presents other issues which are imperative to integrate in healthcare practice. These include diverse populations, different cultural practices, and variation in healthcare needs. A major challenge among most nurses, therefore, is to demonstrate cultural competence. This proposal, therefore, entails implementing cultural competence program among nurses.

Justification and Evidence

The selection of cultural competence as the main change needed is centred on personal experience and the issue being among the main causes of complaints and grievances in healthcare facilities. Bastami, Kianian, Borji, Amirkhani, and Saber (2016) espouse that different cultures and beliefs among patients must be met as well as their needs when delivering care. Failure to integrate these approaches is associated with poor quality practice and lack of safety in patient care (Loftin, Hartin, Branson, & Reyes, 2013). In addition, Cai (2016) also affirms this assertion and adds that cultural competency promotes interaction among healthcare providers and with patients which is a significant determinant of organizational effectiveness. Culturally competent nurses, therefore, deliver care that suffices the patient’s needs and preferences and mitigates conflicts, complaints and grievances.

Proposed Change and Clinical Guidelines

                To promote nurse’s cultural competence, the proposed change entails developing a training program for healthcare professionals, implementing the education, and evaluating its effectiveness. The clinical guidelines used in this regard are those by Douglas et al. (2014) which recognize that cultural diversity in nursing care is a vital issue in promoting equality in human rights and social justice. The change theory adopted is that by Kurt Lewin which entails three main stages of unfreezing, change implementation, and refreezing (Batras, Duff, & Smith, 2016).

Implementation and Time Frame

                The implementation of the project will take three months. The period is sufficient to establish the nurses’ training needs, key aspects that should be included in the training program as noted by patients, implementing the program, and evaluating its effectiveness including the achievement of the set goals and objectives which include enhancing equality, safety, and quality in care (Loftin et al., 2013).

Conclusively, cultural competence among nurses remain a critical aspect to address the dynamics in the global population and economy. The above proposal is centred on promoting nurses’ cultural competence through a training program. The project will last for three months.