Cultural Perceptions of Finnish Nursing Students Regarding People and Nurses of the United States: A Pilot Study

Difficulties encountered by hospitalized Syrian refugees and their expectations from nurses

BACKGROUND

Treating patients with care and respecting their cultural values are key factors necessary to enhance the quality of nursing care.

AIM

The objective of this study was to explore and describe the difficulties experienced by hospitalized Syrian refugees and their expectations from nurses and hospital administration.

METHODS

We used a descriptive qualitative research approach to engage 30 Syrian refugees undergoing treatment in internal medicine who met the study criteria. Data were collected using a descriptive questionnaire and a semi-structured interview with open-ended interview questions. Interview transcripts were analysed using an inductive coding approach. Descriptive questions were analysed and presented via number and percentage. Other data were assessed using content analysis methods.

RESULTS

Three major themes were developed following the analysis of the interviews. We determined that the refugees who participated in the study experienced difficulties in communicating, meeting their personal needs and correctly following treatment instructions. They also had certain expectations from the hospital administration and nurses, and they felt gratitude for both nurses and the nation of Turkey.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study, shared with the executive administration of the hospital, may result in new policies which will help new Syrian refugee patients and patients with similar needs to have better experience related to patient care, communications and meeting personal needs.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

It is important that nurses and other healthcare provider consider the difficulties and expectations of refugees regarding healthcare services and include same in the development of provider training programmes. Development of public health welfare and employment law and policies help to lay the groundwork for successful integration of refugees in new cultures and countries.

Acculturation process: a collaborative strategy of integration in attaining culturally congruent nursing care

The author describes a strategic partnership effort in pursuit of culturally congruent care: the professional model of nursing practice. The organizing framework is an integrated strategy of acculturation based in cultural care theory. The professional health system's department of staff development and a vendor partnered to develop and implement the framework in acculturating Philippine nurses. The author also presents recommendations for future consideration.

Improving international nurse training: an American-Italian case study

BACKGROUND

Institutionalized international nurse training organized by national educational institutions is a relatively new phenomenon. This, descriptive case study examines an early example of an American-Italian initiative of such training, in order to stimulate future international education of nurses.

AIM

To find out what factors have to be taken into account to improve training and what its potential effects are in exchange and also in the context of nurse migration.

METHOD

A questionnaire was sent to the 85 nurses who all participated in this particular international programme (response rate: 30.6%).

FINDINGS

The collected data indicate that personalized and well-aimed training, preparatory language courses, pre-departure exposure of nurses to the culture of the host country and well-prepared welcomes are among the most important ways to improve this programme.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

While the specific circumstances and cultures involved in this particular case study should not be ignored, these factors might also be applied to maximize the positive effects of nurse-migration. Two-way learning is among the positive effects of such an international training experience. Motivational and team-building effects can result in enhanced quality of care and a more efficient allocation of resources. However, the mind-opening effect seems to be the most important learning experience. Therefore, regardless of whether one system is considered better or worse than another, experiencing a different way of nursing/education is considered the most important, enriching element of an international learning experience. The effects of this experience could include avoiding cultural imposition in the increased cultural diversity of nursing in the country of origin.