Improving the Cultural Competence of Nursing Students: Results of Integrating Cultural Content in the Curriculum and an International Immersion Experience

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of integrating cultural content (ICC) in an undergraduate nursing curriculum on students' self-perceived cultural competence, and to determine whether a 5-week clinical immersion in international nursing (ICC Plus) had any additional effect on students' self-perceived cultural competence. Cultural competence was measured using a 28-item scale regarding students' self-perceived knowledge, self-awareness, and comfort with skills of cultural competence. Pretest scores from admission into the program were matched with posttest scores obtained just prior to graduation for 32 students, 7 of whom also participated in a 5-week immersion experience in Guatemala. Results, expressed in effect sizes, showed small to moderate gains for the 25 students in the ICC group, and very large gains for the 7 students in the ICC Plus group, related to perceived cultural competence. These results are consistent with the two-phase (cognitive and affective) development of cultural competence proposed by Wells.

Cultural competence in healthcare in the community: A concept analysis

“…Furthermore, Stone indicates that to change the attitude of healthcare professionals to provide equitable healthcare, they need to be given a sound grounding in ethics which Stone argues is the precursor to moral reasoning. Stone (2008) also puts forward the principle of equal and substantial respect together with the principle of justice, which can facilitate the empowerment of culturally diverse patients which subsequently can lead to the provision of equitable healthcare (Caffrey et al, 2005;Campinha-Bacote, 2002;Dunagan et al, 2014). Harper (2006) adds another dimension to the attribute of "respecting" indicating that moral reasoning is the scaffolding upon which healthcare professionals are guided to, not only respect patients' cultural differences but to also provide care that is ethical and equitable (Carpenter & Garcia, 2012;Foronda, 2008;Kleiman, 2006;Steed, 2010).…”

Development and Evaluation of an International Service Learning Program for Nursing Students

“…Some nurse researchers suggest that cultural immersion experiences were more effective in promoting student cultural competency and student transformation to "ethnorelativism" than nonimmersion experiences (Caffrey, Neander, Markle, & Stewart, 2005;Ryan & Twibell, 2002;Smith-Miller, Leak, Harlan, Diekmann, & Sherwood, 2010;St. Clair & McKenry, 1999).…”

Personal Development of Medical Staff at the Stage of their Education

“…The obtained data confirm the effectiveness of such projects for social and personal development of future nurses. Caffrey et al [8] focus the attention on the need to integrate cultural content into the curriculum for preparation of future medical professionals. This contributes to the development of cultural competences of medical staff.…”