In Saudi Arabia nursing care is provided by both Saudi and foreign nurses. Foreign nurses make up 66.4% of the total nursing workforce. As a result the workforce is multicultural and more than 40 languages are spoken. This paper identifies and addresses the cultural competence experience of registered nurses in 5 hospitals in Jeddah city. It explores the relationship between educational experience and the nurses' experience and ability to deliver culturally competent nursing care. This qualitative study used the Three Dimensional Puzzle Model of culturally congruent care as a framework. An interview guide with a piloted list of questions developed from the 4 theory constructs described in the puzzle model was followed. Semi structured interviews were used for qualitative data collection. Sixteen interviews were carried out in 4 hospitals in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Five different themes emerged: culture diversity, culture awareness and knowledge, culture attitude and sensitivity, language facilitation and organizational support. Results showed that there were gaps in cultural competency in the multicultural nursing workforce in Saudi Arabia and that leaders in health care should be aware of and address these issues. In conclusion this study makes an important contribution to new knowledge in the field of cultural diversity for both the patient and the nurse in Saudi Arabia.