Cultural Diversity in Nursing Teams: Triggers, Team Process and Contingencies / Kulturelle Vielfalt in Pflegeteams: Triggers, Teamprozesse und Kontext

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The study explored cultural diversity in nursing teams and the internal and external conditions under which cultural differences represent an asset or a liability for these teams. Methods A qualitative design with content analysis was employed. In total, 18 interviews were conducted with nurses and assistant nurses with experience of working in culturally diverse teams in three distinct clinical settings. Results Three domains emerged in the study analysis: triggers, team process and contingencies. Each one encompassed a number of themes related to culturally diverse nursing team processes, triggers of team processes and context-specific contingencies, which represent the complexity of culturally diverse nursing team functioning. Discussion/implications The study suggests how cultural differences in nursing teams can be managed and further explored from within the team and by individuals leading those teams, taking into account the disablers and enablers of their functioning.