Transcultural nursing research to transform nursing education and practice: 40 years.

In this article, an overview of some major trends, philosophical perspectives, and theoretical perspectives are presented, along with selected transcultural nursing research findings, primarily from the theory of culture care using the ethnonursing research method. A substantial body of transcultural nursing knowledge with health or well being outcomes has been forthcoming since transcultural nursing was launched in the 1950s. The author contends that transcultural nursing knowledge of Western and non-Western cultures is urgently needed to meet health needs in a multicultural world. Some misconceptions and reflections are offered to advance transcultural nursing research, education, and practice. For "newcomers" to transcultural nursing, some basic readings are recommended.