The Experience of Overseas Nurses Caring for Muslim Patients in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Uae: a Qualitative Study

Cultural competence in nursing care has always been emphasized and recommended as a quality indicator and a core knowledge requirement for all nurses. However, the provision of such culturally competent care can only be achieved when patients’ cultural values and systems are known to the nurses and used appropriately to inform their practices. This study will help to reveal the different components of nurses’ experiences while caring for patients from Islamic culture. This will inform the practice of service planners, managers and educators in designing interventions that address the needs of these nurses, hopefully making the nursing service more satisfying for both the nurses and the patients. A qualitative exploratory research design utilizing written narratives was used within this study. The study revealed three themes and five subthemes. The main themes were: (1) Right to practice Vs impact on care: A matter of balance; (2) Islamic principles: Nurses’ knowledge; and (3) Broken lines of contact with social systems and patients. Most of participants have demonstrated insufficient knowledge and experience of Islamic principles which cannot aid them in providing culturally competent nursing care. It has also revealed that nurses should further recognize religion as an important part of the healing process and not as a factor that negatively impacts their role and hinders patient care.