Reflections across boundaries: the European nursing module

This article explores the development and implementation of an internationally agreed module, the European Nursing Module. This module comprises 4 weeks of student learning and is coordinated by a network of 26 colleges in 14 European countries. It is hoped that through the module, students are helped to acquire cultural sensitivity, which leads toward the development of a culturally competent health care practitioner. The development of the module, the student experience, and the added value of the network are shared. It is argued that considerable cultural learning can occur from short international electives when students and teaching staff are well prepared and sensitised to cultural issues prior to their exchange.