Connecting and becoming culturally competent: A Lakota example

Addressing how nurses become culturally competent is essential for knowledg e development beyond why sociocultural understandings are important. This a rticle reports participatory research conducted during intercultural immers ion learning experiences of non-native nurses on an Indian reservation. Emp hasizing collaborative relationships within unfamiliar social, political, a nd economic circumstances, and using Diekelmann's "concernful practices" as an organizing scheme, prompted participants to explicate practices that pr omote intercultural connecting. Suggesting integral shifts in value orienta tions with changes in cultural competence, the findings argue for attending to associations between those dynamics and potential for developing co-res ponsibility (with consumer groups) for advocating improved health and healt h care.