Using Imaginative Literature to Foster Cultural Sensitivity

Abstract

Readings from two novels, Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, were included in maternal-child clinical courses as part of a pilot project to identify potentially effective strategies for increasing student cultural sensitivity and reflective thinking skills. The authors analyzed student journals to determine student values and beliefs during maternal-child clinical experiences. The study sample consisted of 40 young women enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program in a private, liberal arts university. These young women consistently interpreted ;the other' in their own image. They responded most strongly to themes of belonging, including the struggles of immigrants to ;fit in,' the ways of being acceptable and valued in U.S. society, and the process through which students as nurses learn to accept and care for others who are different.

The arts as a catalyst for learning with undergraduate nursing students: findings from a constructivist grounded theory study

“…ABP seems to alter both the learning process and the learning product (Rieger et al, 2016). There are numerous reported positive outcomes such as self-awareness (Mahar, Iwasiw, & Evans, 2012), awareness of others (Jack, 2012), empathy (Casey, 2009), cultural sensitivity (Newcomb, Cagle, & Walker, 2006), reflection (Jack, 2012), and deeper understanding (Mahar et al, 2012). The emerging body of research suggests that ABP has a meaningful impact on nursing students' development as professionals (Rieger et al, 2016).…”

Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village Workshop: Transforming Nursing Students' Perspectives of Indigenous People and Canadian History - Atelier « Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village » : Transformer la vision qu’ont les étudiantes en sciences infirmières des peuples autochtones et de l’histoire du Canada

“…Previous research has demonstrated the utility of the arts in teaching complex and potentially distressing content, such as the destruction of Indigenous culture. Newcomb, Cagle, and Walker (2006) found that through reading imaginative literature, nursing students learned to accept patients with different cultural practices. Begoray and Banister (2008) describe how the use of reading circles helped students learn about Indigenous contexts.…”

Nurses: The Right and Rites to Write, Right?

“…Anderson (2004) has shown that a story from literary journalism can be used to teach cultural awareness and cultural knowledge. Others have used imaginative literature to understand cultural diversity (Halloran, 2009;Newcomb, Cagle, & Walker, 2006).…”