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Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Semester abroad opportunities in baccalaureate nursing programs.
1Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
Summary
Few nursing programs offer semester abroad options, with most reporting low student participation. However, these international experiences provide significant benefits for undergraduate nursing education and personal development.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- International Health
- Global Nursing
Background:
- Studying abroad enhances undergraduate nursing education by broadening perspectives, fostering personal development, and bridging theory and practice.
- While many reports exist on international experiences for nursing students, data on program availability and student participation rates are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of semester abroad opportunities in baccalaureate nursing programs.
- To identify the percentage of nursing students who participate in study abroad programs.
- To explore the perceived advantages and facilitating strategies for these international experiences.
Main Methods:
- A mailed paper-and-pencil survey was distributed to 382 administrators of baccalaureate nursing programs.
- Data were collected from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing database.
Main Results:
- 23.3% of surveyed schools offer a semester study abroad opportunity.
- Of those offering the program, 44% include clinical nursing courses taught by nursing faculty.
- A significant majority (76%) of schools reported that only 0%-5% of students participated in semester abroad programs.
Conclusions:
- Despite low participation rates, study abroad offers numerous advantages for nursing students and programs.
- Curricular innovations can increase student participation in semester abroad programs, as demonstrated by Boston College.
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