CULTURAL NURSING ANDROGOGIES WITH FOREIGN-EDUCATED PHYSICIANS ENROLLED IN BSN TO MSN PROGRAM.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Cultural Competency in Healthcare

Background:

• Healthcare organizations emphasize the need for culturally competent and technologically adept registered nurses.
• Foreign-educated physicians entering advanced practice nursing programs require specific training to meet these demands.
• Bridging cultural and professional gaps is crucial for successful integration into the US healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of traditional and technology-based teaching strategies in enhancing cultural competency among nursing students.
• To assess the impact of these strategies on foreign-educated physicians in a BSN/MSN program.
• To facilitate the adaptation and acculturation of these students into US nursing culture.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a BSN/MSN program for foreign-educated physicians.
• Utilized the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competency among Healthcare Professionals-Revised (IACP) for pre- and post-program assessment.
• Employed cultural simulation scenarios and critical-reflection essays as key teaching strategies.

Main Results:

• The program successfully increased cultural competency levels in nursing students.
• Technology-based and simulation strategies proved effective in enhancing cultural awareness and skills.
• Students demonstrated improved readiness for advanced practice roles within the US healthcare context.

Conclusions:

• Innovative teaching methods, including technology and simulations, are effective in developing culturally competent advanced practice nurses.
• The program successfully prepared foreign-educated physicians for cultural and professional integration into US nursing.
• Enhanced cultural competency supports a smoother transition and better adaptation for internationally trained healthcare professionals.