An innovative approach to nursing education: The global community as clinical agency

BACKGROUND AND ISSUES Schools of Nursing are competing for a scarce resource: clinical agencies in which students can gain direct patient care clinical experience, caring for diverse patients across the lifespan. Additionally, schools must provide the opportunity for students to apply knowledge of cultural factors while demonstrating tolerance for the ambiguity of the world and advocating for social justice. International settings present an innovative option for nursing education. DESCRIPTION At this university, every senior nursing student participates in a REQUIRED 2 week trip abroad led by faculty who coordinate clinical experiences with missionaries and NGO's. Students complete nursing care, screenings, and health education in a variety of settings with scarce resources: remote villages, orphanages, and HIV/AIDs hospices. LESSONS LEARNED It is not uncommon for patients to walk for days to access healthcare at a clinic staffed by student nurses. Students benefit by gaining hands-on skills and an appreciation for diversity. They bring these lessons back home to the United States where they act locally, caring for clients from diverse backgrounds. RECOMMENDATIONS Group sizes are best when limited to 10-12 students. Group pricing on airfare and lodging keeps trips affordable, though schools may consider offering a combination of international and domestic trips, because anywhere students go, they can learn diversity.