TRANSCULTURAL NURSING IN ACTION: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF NURSES TAKING CARE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Nurses routinely care for clients from various ethnic and racial backgrounds, yet the specific experiences of nurses caring for indigenous populations have often been overlooked. This phenomenological study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences of nurses caring for indigenous clients, particularly in an OB-GYN ward setting, to uncover the challenges they face and the meanings they attribute to these experiences. Using purposive sampling, participants were selected from the OB-GYN wards at a government regional hospital in Tagum City, with a minimum of three years of service. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews conducted at the same facility, and analysis followed Colaizzi’s method of qualitative data interpretation. The findings revealed three key themes: Confronting Realities, Bridging Two Worlds, and Uniting in Diversity. These themes reflect the nurses' struggles with language barriers and cultural differences, as well as the realization that patience and empathy are essential in transcultural nursing. By overcoming these challenges, nurses play a vital role in bridging the gap between medical practice and cultural diversity, fostering a deeper understanding and celebration of indigenous cultures in healthcare.