Where is cultural competency in nursing education?

Background and Issue: Health disparities in ethnic and racial minorities are well documented, and research supports cultural competent health care reduces health disparities in this population. The potential for health care dollar savings is approximately $24 million dollars annually. Nursing education lacks policies that specifically address cultural competency education. Description: Nursing education is largely regulated by each state. State guidelines for nursing education list competencies for the minimum level of education. In this study, all 50 US states' nursing education curricula were evaluated for mention or inclusion of cultural competency specific curriculum competencies. Lessons learned: The policy analysis of the 50 states nursing education curricula indicates cultural competency is lacking as a nursing education competency. Recommendations: Nurses have the unique ability to interact with patients on a deeper, more meaningful level and provide culturally competent health care. Nursing education must reflect the US recommendations for culturally competent health care providers. State boards of nursing must enumerate cultural competency in the curriculum plan for nurses. The potential economic impact for mandating cultural competency in nursing education is great as is the potential to reduce health disparities in diverse populations, thus creating a healthier US.