Integration of international and transcultural content in nursing curricula: a process for change

A brief review of education and nursing literature indicates that it is essential to help students develop a global perspective as they prepare to practice nursing in a world of increasingly interdependent nations and people. The process currently being implemented to integrate international and transcultural content in the undergraduate nursing curriculum at a Midwestern state university is described in this article. Assessment of the school indicated that the student population and faculty are characterized by a high degree of radical-ethnic homogeneity. Assessment also included the mapping of content in all required courses in the undergraduate curriculum in the following areas: cultural differences, health care delivery systems in other countries, nursing in other countries, and international health organizations and issues. Recommendations were then made regarding content in required courses, continuation of elective courses, and informal educational strategies. Examples of these are described, as well as the resultant changes. Some of the changes described include content added and educational strategies used to integrate transcultural and international health content in required courses. Elective courses, taught both on-campus and abroad, are briefly described. Evaluation is an ongoing part of overall program evaluation. Highest priority for future planning is currently being placed on development of a semester study-abroad program and increasing cultural diversity in all students' educational experiences.