Fostering Cultural Competence in Nursing Students Through International Service Immersion Experiences

Enhancing the Cultural Competence of Baccalaureate Nursing Students Through Short-term Study Abroad Programs

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of baccalaureate nursing students on a short-term study abroad program to Peru and the effect on baccalaureate nursing student cultural competence. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using student pretravel and posttravel journals. The major themes of advocacy, ethnocentric shift, and cultural competence emerged after the study abroad program. Results of this study will be used to inform and improve future study abroad programs to prepare students for a career caring for diverse clients.

A Descriptive Analysis of the Experiences of Nursing Students Who Participated in an International Service-Learning Project in Haiti

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated multiple benefits of international service-learning experiences in nursing education. These benefits include personal and professional growth, increased cultural sensitivity, and increased self-efficacy.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this project was to describe the experiences of nursing students engaged in an international service-learning experience in Haiti.

METHOD

A descriptive qualitative outcomes evaluation project was utilized to understand student perceptions of this experience. Nine respondents were interviewed about their experiences that took place as part of a nursing capstone course offered at a private liberal arts university in the Midwest. Interview transcripts were analyzed by the authors for common themes.

RESULTS

The six themes identified included: a desire for an international experience to better understand healthcare in a developing country; culture shock; context of poverty; excitement and a sense of "helping" amidst the chaos; feelings of increased confidence, independence, and competence; and personal and professional growth. Responses indicated students felt more confident in caring for individuals from other cultures as well as in basic nursing skills and interprofessional communication after this experience. Participants' narratives also indicated intent to serve vulnerable populations in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

The nursing students perceived increased sociocultural understanding and self-efficacy following a 10-day international service-learning experience.

The impact of cultural immersion international learning experiences on cultural competence of nursing students: A critical integrative review

BACKGROUND

Cultural immersion international learning experiences (CIILEs) are commonly offered in undergraduate nursing education programs worldwide, often with the goal to enhance students' cultural competence.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the most recent existing literature concerning the impact of CIILEs on nursing students' cultural competence and to cast a critical eye on the findings.

METHOD

We searched the CINAHL database for articles published from 2015 to 2019 and found 30 that met inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The majority of the studies were descriptive or qualitative designs and reported positive overall student cultural competence outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the use of CIILEs with a critical eye for potential negative consequences. The authors recommend further longitudinal, observational studies to identify factors that facilitate substantial long-term positive outcomes.

Reflections on an international nursing placement experience in Nepal: A thematic analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasing patient diversity, as a result of growing global interaction, has necessitated that nursing academics better prepare nursing students to provide culturally appropriate and respectful care to their patients, particularly in culturally diverse countries such as Australia. One approach to improve cultural awareness of nursing students is a cultural immersion placement, and this paper describes such an experience which has been embraced by undergraduate participants. Purpose of this paper was to describe experiences, cultural awareness and challenges encountered by final year undergraduate nursing students undertaking a 22-day cultural immersion placement in Nepal. The researchers accompanied one group of students per year on this trip, which was repeated for three consecutive years. Describing and reflecting on the lived experience of nursing students engaged in this cultural immersion placement has helped to discern how this experience affects the cultural awareness of undergraduate nursing students and helps to decrease the challenges for similar placements in the future.

DESIGN AND METHODS

To gain insight into the way this initiative impacted on the development of the participant's cultural competence, a qualitative descriptive design was chosen. Semi-structured interviews were carried out over three consecutive years with final year undergraduate nursing students upon their return from Nepal over three consecutive years. Data analysis followed standard suggestions for a systematic, unbiased approach to dealing with the condensed text, and was analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The findings suggested that this experience, albeit of limited duration, provided a significant contribution to students' understanding of cross-cultural awareness in the context of providing health care.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a strong implication from the outcomes that this cultural immersion placement should be permanently integrated into the undergraduate nursing course. There was, however, indication that there is room for added reflection and advantages to be made from the experience.

Call the Rezadora: Aiding Latino Families at the End of Life

INTRODUCTION

The rezadora, a lay spiritual leader, provides support to Latino families as they provide end-of-life (EOL) care for loved ones. The purpose of this study was to learn about the work of the rezadora in Guatemala as a resource for Latinos with serious illness in the United States.

METHODS

An ethnographic exploratory case study was conducted during summer 2018 in rural Guatemala. We interviewed three rezadoras who resided in two villages. The study yielded two cases, the single case and the paired case, which allowed for a holistic view of how the rezadora serves the community.

RESULTS

Content and thematic analysis led to two themes: Essence of being called and Power of prayerful song. Essence of being called was represented by the prominence of the rezadora and their perpetual faith work. Power of prayerful song was characterized through the mission, customs, and the presence of the rezadora. A good death was aided by the rezadora in this context.

CONCLUSIONS

As the Latino population ages in place, the need for palliative and EOL care services will increase. Lay spiritual leaders could enhance the palliative care teams in these communities and improve the quality of life for Latinos with serious illness.