Cultural safety — foundations for Canadian nursing practice
Lesson 1 of 4 in Cultural Safety, Indigenous Patients & Trauma-Informed Nursing · 22 minutes
Cultural safety is now a core competency in Canadian nursing — distinct from cultural awareness or cultural sensitivity. This lesson covers what it means and how to practice it.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish cultural safety from cultural awareness
- Recognize power dynamics in clinical encounters
- Apply cultural humility in practice
- Address racism in healthcare encounters
From the lesson
Cultural safety is increasingly central to Canadian nursing practice. It's distinct from earlier concepts (cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, cultural competence) and represents a deeper shift. This lesson covers the theory and practical application that IENs need.
1. The evolution from awareness to safety
Cultural awareness (older): • Knowing about other cultures. • 'In Filipino culture, family makes decisions together.' • Risk: stereotyping; treating culture as fixed.
Cultural sensitivity (older): • Being respectful of differences. • 'I should be sensitive to her religion.' • Risk: passive; doesn't change practice.
Cultural competence (newer): • Skill in cross-cultural interaction. •…