title: Predictors of cultural competence among nursing students in the Philippines: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the continued emigration of Filipino nurses and increasing globalization, there is a need for globally competent nurses. Thus, the development of cultural competence among nursing students is critical in their preparation to assume their future responsibilities in the profession.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the predictors of cultural competence among nursing students in the Philippines.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive, cross-section study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 332 Bachelor of Science in nursing students in three nursing schools situated in the northern Philippines.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cultural Capacity Scale was used to gather data from the respondents. The demographic characteristics and cultural background of the students were entered in a regression analysis to predict their cultural competence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respondents manifested appreciably good cultural competence with a mean score of 68.98±11.73. The ability to understand the beliefs of various cultural groups received the highest mean of 3.65±0.86, while the ability to identify the care needs of patients with diverse cultural backgrounds received the lowest (mean, 3.31±0.74). Living in an environment with culturally diverse people, prior diversity training, being in the latter years of the nursing program, and with experience of caring for patients from diverse cultures and special population groups, were identified as predictors, accounting for 68.1% of the variance of cultural competence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nursing education should devise strategies to ensure future culturally competent Filipino nurses. Considering the fact that most of the Filipino nurses will potentially work overseas, they should be well prepared to provide competent care that is culturally sensitive.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: cruzjprn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jonas Preposi
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Department, Institute of Community Health and Allied Medical Sciences, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University South Luzon Campus, La Union, Philippines.
authors.forename: Joel C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Estacio
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Allied Health Programs, Union Christian College, La Union, Philippines.
authors.forename: Cristeta E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bagtang
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Paolo C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Colet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054521:Cultural Competency; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010679:Philippines; D012737:Sex Factors; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cultural competence; Nursing education; Nursing students; Philippines; Transcultural nursing