Cultural competence immersion experiences: public health among the Navajo

Holistic nursing practice requires cultural competence. The author describes a cultural immersion experience involving public health among the Navajo as having four components: inspiration, preparation, immersion, and reentry. Such experiences require faculty with requisite attitudes and abilities, as well as a supportive academic environment to nurture this student learning opportunity. Important faculty development issues discussed include faculty cultural competence and interpersonal skills, fiscal support, curricular coordination, and administrative commitment.