Authors

  1. Weeks, Amanda MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CHSE
  2. Andries, Chelsey DNP, RN, CPN

Article Content

Understanding cultural diversity and conflict resolution is essential for today's nursing students. This learning activity allows students to participate in a common read seminar to enhance the understanding of cultural diversity within personal worldviews. The students must read a chosen piece of literature prior to the seminar and apply the principles from the selected reading. The faculty chose the book The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute.1 This literary work delivers a message related to understanding personal biases, others' viewpoints, and the boxes we create for ourselves and others. Students participated in interactive small group discussions with faculty following the completion of the common read. The rich dialogue about personal bias and worldviews inspired through this work created an engaging forum for students to recognize the humanity in all people and the consequences of treating others as only objects. Students identified personal stories and listened to others' experiences who may see things through a completely different lens. With a safe space to discuss worldviews, faculty facilitated conversation about the book's key points and how patient outcomes can be affected with an improved understanding of one's view of themselves and others. Along with small group discussions, students constructed choice diagrams and used student polling and open-ended questioning related to clinical experiences with patients or team members. This activity was an innovative delivery of information about nursing advocacy while allowing the students to demonstrate the competency of accountability to diverse patient populations.

 

Reference

 

1. Arbinger Institute. Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict. Berrett-Koehler; 2022. [Context Link]