Cultural competence models in nursing.

A fundamental change is needed in the way clinicians provide care to patients, including the way the workforce is educated for the demographic challenges of meeting the needs of a diverse nation. Health disparities exist for many reasons, including the failure to prepare providers for mastery of a cultural competency skill set. There are many cultural competency frameworks available to provide intentional direction and intentional vision for the development, implementation, and actualization of providing culturally appropriate care. This article highlights prevalent frameworks and the needs that theoretic models address as health care providers deal with the nuances and necessary understandings to meet their contracts with society.