Why Is Ethnocentrism an Important Concept for Nurses?

Ethnocentrism is an important concept for nurses to understand because it has a huge impact on the way we will deliver nursing care. Ethnocentrism is defined by Germov, (2005) as “viewing others from one’s own cultural perspective, with an implied sense of cultural superiority based on an inability to understand or accept the practices and beliefs of other cultures.” (p.152). To understand the term ethnocentrism properly we also need to be aware of what culture actually is as it is commonly misconceived. “Culture refers to the beliefs and practices common to any particular group of people.” (Nursing Council, 2009, p. 4). “Culture includes, but is not restricted to, age or generation, gender, sexual orientation, occupation and socioeconomic status, ethnic origin or migrant experience, religious or spiritual belief and disability.” (Dempsey, French, Hillege & Wilson 2009, p. 107)