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Nurse practitioner students in Nicaragua
R L Ailinger1, L Zamora, S Molloy
1College of Nursing and Health Science, George Mason University MS:3C4, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA. railinge@gmu.ed
Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners : the International Journal of NPACE
|March 23, 2001
Summary
Nurse practitioner (NP) students gained cultural awareness through a 2-week clinical rotation in Nicaragua. This experience highlighted managing healthcare with limited resources and understanding diverse patient backgrounds.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Nursing Education
- Cross-Cultural Healthcare
Background:
- Growing need for cultural competence among nurse practitioner (NP) students serving diverse populations.
- Limited published reports detailing NP student experiences in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical experiences of NP students in Nicaragua.
- To evaluate the impact of international clinical rotations on cultural awareness and resource management skills.
Main Methods:
- Intensive 2-week clinical rotation in Nicaragua for final-semester NP students.
- Collaboration with Universidad Politecnica de Nicaragua School of Nursing.
- Clinical practice in a Health Post and an impoverished community setting.
Main Results:
- Students managed clinical problems effectively with minimal resources.
- Acquired enhanced appreciation for cultural, political, and economic factors influencing patient health.
- Gained insights into the backgrounds of patients often encountered in the United States.
Conclusions:
- International clinical experiences are valuable for developing culturally competent NPs.
- Such programs foster adaptability and resourcefulness in managing complex health issues.
- Recommendations are provided for implementing similar global health educational initiatives.