Factors Influencing on Cultural Competence of Undergraduate Nursing Students in Korea

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This research was conducted to examine cultural competence and to verify variables related to cultural competence, as well as the factors contributing to cultural competence in nursing students in Korea. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were calculated, including the frequency, mean, standard deviation, and rank. T-test and ANOVA were used to compare the differences in cultural competence according to general characteristics. A person’s coefficient was used to analyze the correlation among variables. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify the influence of empathy and cultural experience on the cultural competence. Findings: The results showed an average cultural competence score of 3.37. There was a positive correlation between cultural competence and empathic ability. Factors influencing cultural competence included empathic concern, a need for cultural education, fantasy, and multicultural contact in school activities. Therefore, the development of a program for cultural competence is required to increase empathic concern and fantasy as well as to expand cultural education in order to enhance the cultural competence of undergraduate nursing students. Improvements/Applications: This research would be beneficial to develop an educational program for improving empathic concern and to provide opportunities that promote multicultural acceptance for nursing students to acquire cultural competence