Reviewer: Carole A. Kenner, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, ANEF (The College of New Jersey)
Description: This book blends the theory of transcultural nursing with clinical application. The companion web site contains six additional chapters and an NCLEX-RN review test addressing cultural competence. The previous edition was published in 2004.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide nursing students and practicing nurses with foundational knowledge in transcultural nursing. However, the authors acknowledge that this book can transcend disciplines.
Audience: The audience is students and practicing nurses with possible additional audiences across health professions. The authors are internationally recognized experts.
Features: The book builds from a framework of cultural assessment to its application. The theory portion includes the six concepts: communication, space, social organization, time, environmental control, and biological variations. The application section addresses the more common ethnic groups found in U.S. society: African-Americans, Mexican Americans, Navajos, Appalachians, American Eskimos, Japanese Americans, Afghans and Afghan Americans, Russian Americans, Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, Vietnamese Americans, East Indian Hindu Americans, Haitian Americans, Jewish Americans, Korean Americans, French Canadians, and Puerto Rican Americans. Six other chapters address other cultural groups such as the Amish and Irish. Case studies, review questions, and NCLEX questions are found in each chapter. The appendix holds the key to the NCLEX-RN review questions. The book would have been improved with color photos. The richness and beauty of ethnic differences is lost with black and white photos.
Assessment: There are other books that cover the topic of transcultural nursing, but none go into the depth this one does. For example, the discussion of the world view of social versus clock time helps to explain why traditional westernized views of time are not shared with other cultures, often leading to misunderstandings. The application section has in-depth discussions surrounding issues such as nutrition, illness, and health. These are very important to the planning of healthcare and are in keeping with the Institute of Medicine's emphasis on patient-focused care. This edition expands the application to care, a very necessary part of our nursing education and practice.
