l diversity in nursing practice derives its conceptual base from nursing, other cross-cultural health disciplines, and the social sciences such as anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Culture is conceptualized broadly to encompass the belief systems of a variety of groups. Cultural diversity refers to the differences between people based on a shared ideology and valued set of beliefs, norms, customs, and meanings evidenced in a way of life. Culture consists of patterns of behavior acquired and transmitted symbols, constituting the distinctive achievement of human groups, including their embodiment in artifacts. The essential core of culture consists of historically derived and selected ideas and especially their attached values. Taking this into account, it is completely understandable why the knowledge of culture is vitally important to the ability of myself, upon becoming a nurse, as well as other health care providers to provide the best health care possible.The impact of culture as a causative influence on the perceptions, interpretations and behaviors of persons in specific cultural groups is important. Issues such as cultural differences in defining health and in designing treatments are also important. As knowledge of specific cultures is gained, cross-cultural comparison can lead to recognition of possible universal aspects as well. Ideology is comprised of the ideas of a group, their nature and source, and the doctrines, opinions or ways of thinking of a group. These are attached to an agreed upon set of beliefs or a creed. Values refer to the especially favorable way of regarding the ideas, behaviors, customs, and institutions of a group as desirable, useful, admirable, important, or truthful. Ethnocentrism is the belief that ones own culture is superior to all others. This belief is common to all cultural groups. All groups regard their own culture as not only the best but also the correct, moral, and only way of life. Th...
