Culture is an adaptation to the environment in which an individual lives, works, and grows. Culture is dynamic. It is a continual, changing process. In general, culture can represent the beliefs, knowledge, morals, laws, customs, and habits learned and acquired by individuals. It is typically shared by a group and passed down from generation to generation.
Culture is an on-going changing process and guides our patterns of behavior and thinking.
It is who we are. Ethnic groups who share a common culture can be considered a subculture within a larger social system. A subculture refers to a group of individuals who have common characteristics and beliefs that are not common to all members of the larger cultural group. Examples of subcultures include legal and medical professions, religious organizations, etc. As nurses, we share our own subculture influenced by those we work with, our education, and our nursing experiences.