Objectives: Cultural competence often focuses on the skills of the professional; whereas, this article focuses on the needs of the patient.
Data sources: Research studies, review articles, book chapters, and clinical practice.
Conclusions: Patients benefit from health care professionals that are attuned and able to nurture patients in a process of identifying their needs regarding terminal illness and death. The health care professional's ability and sensitivity to be culturally aware, knowledgeable, and open directly influences the patient's quality of life and death.
Implications for nursing practice: As the population becomes more diverse, health care professionals must develop cultural competence to add value to themselves, the profession of nursing, and health care in the future.