Las Vegas NowUNLV Holds Nursing Diversity Conference

UNLV Holds Nursing Diversity Conference

The valley's nursing shortage has brought healthcare workers here from all over the world. The nurses have diverse backgrounds and so do patients.

Eyewitness News tries to shed light on some important issues our local healthcare industry is now facing.

UNLV is hosting a multi-cultural nursing conference. Some may think it's about being politically correct. But organizers say nurses trained in cultural differences and diversity gives patients the best care.

Nurses attending the conference are learning about differences, differences among each other, differences among the patients they treat.

Dr. Carolyn Yucha, Dean of UNLV's School of Nursing, said, "The healthcare system in Nevada is very diverse. And because it's so diverse, we have a variety of different nurses out trying to care for patients with very diverse backgrounds and cultural backgrounds."

Diversity is more than a discussion. In nursing, it's practice.

Marcia Evans is president of the Southern Nevada Black Nurses Association. She said, "I may not know a certain why to approach an issue. Is this the right way to do it? Could I do it better? Am I being sensitive to their care?"

Southern Nevada's rising Hispanic population means the demand for bilingual nurses is high. But it's not just about learning the language. A nurse being cognizant of the culture is also critical, for example, when caring for many Hispanic patients in a hospital room.

"If there's an elderly member, the nurse coming in needs to address that elderly member first, it's just the culture," explained Maria Lipscomb, president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses Nevada Chapter.

Multi-culturalism is a two-fold issue in nursing.

Officials say there is not only patient diversity, but because of the nursing shortage more nurses are new to Nevada from other countries. They are dealing with change themselves.

Belen Gabato, president of the Phillippine Nurses Association, said, "When you're from a foreign country, you have this perception of the United States of America. It's this and it's this and it's this. When you get there, you deal with the nitty-gritty of everyday living."

It's not a cure all. But this discussion is a step in the right direction in dealing with challenges facing Nevada nurses.

Another problem learned during the conference on Friday is the number of Hispanic nurses in Nevada is incredibly low. There are just 503 Hispanic registered nurses in the entire state. On top of that, very few Hispanics are now entering the nursing profession.

UNLV's School of Nursing is addressing that issue in a recruitment campaign.

The diversity conference has attendees and healthcare leaders from all over the state. It wraps up Saturday, Sept. 22. But organizers hope it will become an annual event.

E-mail your comments to Reporter Aaron Drawhorn.