Examining the relationship betwen nurses' cultural competence and patient-centered care competency

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nurses' patient-centered care competency and their cultural competence in a descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design. Material and Method: The study sample consisted of 228 nurses working at Bingöl State Hospital in the city center of Bingöl. Data were collected between Apr 1st and June 1st 2024 using the Participant Information and Consent Form, Nurse Socio-Demographic Information Form, Nurse Cultural Competence Scale (NCCS), and Patient-Centered Care Competency Scale (PCCCS). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The mean NCCS score of the participating nurses was 69.32±15.80, and the mean PCCCS score was 63.54±12.61. The study found that professional experience, assigned unit, job satisfaction, duration of employment, providing care to individuals from different cultures, and receiving patient-centered care training had significant effects on both NCCS and PCCCS mean scores (p<0.05). Notably, nurses who enjoyed their profession and received patient-centered care training scored higher on both scales. Finally, a positive, weak, and significant correlation was found between NCCS and PCCCS (p=0.014,r=0.146). Conclusion: This research demonstrates a positive and significant relationship between nurses' cultural competence and patient-centered care competencies. The findings emphasize the importance of professional experience, education, and motivation in the development of these competencies. It is recommended that cultural competence and patient-centered care topics be more effectively integrated into nursing education and in-service training programs. Keywords: Cultural Competence, Patient-Centered Care, Nursing, Nurse