Lessons learned: Why study-abroad remains a critical component of nursing curriculums

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Global Health
• Cultural Competency

Background:

• Healthcare demands a culturally competent nursing workforce to address diverse patient needs and reduce disparities.
• Study abroad immersion offers a pathway to cultivate deep learning and cultural competency in nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of baccalaureate and Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students during a collaborative study-abroad service-learning initiative.
• To understand how international service-learning impacts nursing students' perspectives on cultural competency and patient care.

Main Methods:

• Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to analyze student experiences.
• Qualitative data were gathered from journal transcripts of nursing students participating in a service-learning trip to Belize.

Main Results:

• Key themes included embracing learning opportunities, adapting to nursing with limited resources, developing a nuanced understanding of culture, and fostering peer relationships.
• Sub-themes highlighted students' connections with the host country's people and their own cohort.

Conclusions:

• Cultural immersion experiences effectively prepare nursing students for diverse patient interactions and varied health perspectives.
• The study underscores the importance of core nursing values like dignity and caring, emphasizing patient-centered care that respects cultural differences.