Cultural competence is the ability to acknowledge, appreciate, and respect the values, preferences, and expressed needs of clients (Lin et al., 2017). Cultural competence in healthcare is also the ability to resolve differences and identify solutions that reduce interference from various cultural factors (Lin et al., 2017). It is an open-mindedness and respect for people, families, societies, of various cultural backgrounds (Lin et al., 2017). The ability to translate cultural competency and cultural knowledge into practice can help to enhance cultural appropriateness of healthcare (Lin et al., 2017). The Process of Cultural Competence by Campinha-Bacote (2002), is a theoretical framework that can be used to guide the development of culture competency (Michelle-Brown,F., 2020). This framework has five constructs: cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural encounter, and cultural desire (Michelle-Brown, F., 2020). Through all these constructs, the healthcare professional is aware of their own culture, placing biases aside, and actively seeking the encounter of another culture for knowledge and understanding (Michelle-Brown, F., 2020). The essence of communication should be reinforced into practice daily. When there is a language barrier, simple nodding of the head from a client indicates acknowledgement of the conversation only (Michelle, B., 2020). Nodding the head may not mean they fully understand the meaning and context of the conversation. The importance and use of a translator should not be underestimated. When translation of treatment or management is in the clients native language, there is better adherence and understanding with what is being told to them (Michelle-Brown, F., 2020). Misunderstandings or misinterpretations, verbal and non-verbal can negatively impact the continuum of care, so to prevent miscommunication, use of translators are emphasized and a necessity. Cultural competency is not a skill one learns overnight, but a process that entails patience and without assumptions. Cultural competency is having the skills to deliver care that is respectful and responsive to a diverse population (Michelle-Brown., 2020). With cultural competence through communication a provider can attain culturally specific information from patients and ask culturally specific questions that can promote health (Michelle-Brown, F., 2020). Providers who practice cultural competency effectively use interpreter services when needed (Saha et al., 2008). In my pursuit and self-reflection of cultural competency, I plan to keep an openness to the diversity of other cultures. I plan to seek out learning opportunities from coworkers and patients about their culture to provide better care for our patients. I have not really utilized an interpreter at times when I really needed one with our Spanish only population, because there were times that I honestly thought it was possible to get by with knowledge of some Spanish medical terminology, but cultural competency stresses the importance and use of an interpreter to better provide patient centered care, better outcomes, and most importantly prevent miscommunication. I also hope to utilize resources and apply theoretical frameworks learned in this course. References Lin, C. J., Lee, C. K., & Huang, M. C. (2017, June). Cultural Competence of Healthcare Providers: A Systematic Review of Assessment Instruments. Journal of Nursing Research, 25(3), 174186. https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000153 Mitchell-Brown, F. (2020). Enhancing Cultural Competency: A Phenomenological Study. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(9), 485492. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20200817-02Links to an external site. Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2008). Patient centeredness, cultural competence and healthcare quality. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(11), 12751285. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0027-9684(15)31505-4