Considerations for Study Abroad Programs for Nursing Students
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Amanda Hopkins
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 12:30 PM
Abstract
The United States (US) is becoming an increasingly diverse country. By 2044, there will not be a clear ethnic majority as no one group will make up more than 50% of the total population. Being knowledgeable about diverse populations practices may reduce their experiences of racism and inequity in healthcare. Nurses provide frontline care for this diverse population of patients. Cultural sensitivity is of utmost importance when working with complex medical diagnoses in persons with varying religious and cultural belief systems to build trust and develop therapeutic relationships. Adapting care in sensitive ways may improve patient outcomes and protect nurses from legal liability. One way to prepare nurses for care of diverse populations is through travel courses. Travel courses historically were designed to demonstrate status and eventually to promote the identity of US democracy. Travel study may be beneficial when carefully designed to keep liberal humanitarian concerns at its core and truly promote cultural humility and beneficence. When such practices are enacted, it is more likely that biases and structural inequalities in society and healthcare environments are recognized. Nursing students often sacrifice financially and with time to study abroad because of the nature of their studies. Because of all these considerations, travel courses must be designed intentionally and carefully to maximize their impact. We are conducting an in-depth review of the literature surrounding travel courses with nursing students including the benefits, barriers, and ethical considerations in designing and carrying out the course. The aim of this review is to explore how travel may benefit nursing students within their practice scope while being considerate and culturally humble towards culturally diverse persons when studying abroad. We are using the PRISMA technique for this research. Our review is currently in process.
Considerations for Study Abroad Programs for Nursing Students
CNS Atrium
The United States (US) is becoming an increasingly diverse country. By 2044, there will not be a clear ethnic majority as no one group will make up more than 50% of the total population. Being knowledgeable about diverse populations practices may reduce their experiences of racism and inequity in healthcare. Nurses provide frontline care for this diverse population of patients. Cultural sensitivity is of utmost importance when working with complex medical diagnoses in persons with varying religious and cultural belief systems to build trust and develop therapeutic relationships. Adapting care in sensitive ways may improve patient outcomes and protect nurses from legal liability. One way to prepare nurses for care of diverse populations is through travel courses. Travel courses historically were designed to demonstrate status and eventually to promote the identity of US democracy. Travel study may be beneficial when carefully designed to keep liberal humanitarian concerns at its core and truly promote cultural humility and beneficence. When such practices are enacted, it is more likely that biases and structural inequalities in society and healthcare environments are recognized. Nursing students often sacrifice financially and with time to study abroad because of the nature of their studies. Because of all these considerations, travel courses must be designed intentionally and carefully to maximize their impact. We are conducting an in-depth review of the literature surrounding travel courses with nursing students including the benefits, barriers, and ethical considerations in designing and carrying out the course. The aim of this review is to explore how travel may benefit nursing students within their practice scope while being considerate and culturally humble towards culturally diverse persons when studying abroad. We are using the PRISMA technique for this research. Our review is currently in process.