International service learning experience: Positively impacting cultural competence

Background: Cultural competency is relevant to public health nursing in the US and developing countries. Service learning is a valid tool to familiarize nursing students with health disparities in developing countries and increase cultural competency skills that are applicable to cultural competence in the US and abroad. Methods: Using a convenience sample of nursing students traveling to rural Guatemala, students took a pre- trip cultural competency assessment and a post- trip cultural competency assessment. Students kept a structured diary with specific, culturally relevant questions as well as the use of “free journaling” to explore relevant issues. Results: Service learning in rural Guatemala is a valuable teaching tool to increase culturally competent nursing skills. These skills are applicable in the US as well as abroad. Students demonstrated an increased score in their cultural competency assessment as well as established culturally competency and sensitivity as indicated by a qualitative analysis of journal entries. Conclusions: Results indicate that service learning is a valuable teaching tool for cultural competence. Current research indicates that culturally competent nursing is not effectively taught in undergraduate nursing schools or hospitals. Service learning is an effective tool to teach these important skills for dealing with the increasing cultural diverse population in the US and globally as our global community becomes increasingly integrated.