Transatlantic Collaborations: Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Experiences of Participating in a Semester-Long Study...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Internationalization in Higher Education
• Clinical Placements

Background:

• Internationalization is a key driver in nurse education, fostering global perspectives.
• Collaborative initiatives between US and Irish universities facilitate study abroad programs.
• These programs involve complex logistics, curriculum development, and ensuring clinical placements meet professional standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of fourth-year nursing students during a 15-week clinical placement in Ireland.
• To understand the challenges and benefits of international clinical placements for nursing students.
• To identify factors contributing to personal and professional development during study abroad.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive research design was employed.
• Data were collected through focus groups and individual semistructured interviews with 19 students.
• Thematic analysis was used to interpret the collected data.

Main Results:

• Students reported a process of acclimatization and navigation of new learning environments.
• The study highlights the use of person-centered practices in clinical settings.
• Meaningful learning and personal/professional growth were key outcomes identified by students.

Conclusions:

• Moving beyond the rhetoric of globalization is essential for future nursing workforce development.
• Initiatives must balance the benefits of internationalization with potential safety risks, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.
• This study provides insights into optimizing international clinical placements for nursing students.