Alternative clinical experiences to promote cultural competence in FNP students

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The integration of culturally competent care into advanced nursing practice is imperative to safe, effective clinical practice and a standard required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Exposure, via face-to-face encounters, is a key building block to assist nurse practitioner students in the process of becoming culturally competent. Encounters, along with awareness, knowledge, and skill are the proposed components of an alternative clinical rotation for nurse practitioner students in their initial clinical course, NUR 501 Advanced Health Assessment.</p> <p><strong>Purpose:</strong> The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of participating in seminars and alternative cultural experiences on nurse practitioner student levels and perceptions of cultural competence. The research questions for this study are: (1) Does participating in alternative seminars and clinical experiences focused on cultural awareness, knowledge, skill, and exposure increase FNP student&rsquo;s levels of cultural competence; (2) How do FNP students integrate culturally competent practice as a consequence of participating in alternative seminars and clinical experiences focused on culturally competent care; and (3) What are the perceived benefits of FNP students participating in alternative seminars and clinical experiences focused on culturally competent care.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eight (8) graduate students, registered for NUR 501, who desire to learn more about culture assessment and becoming culturally competent have volunteered to participate in a special section of NUR 501 Advanced Health Assessment. In addition to exposure to culturally diverse patients, students participate in three workshops to learn, share, and practice aspects of delivering culturally competent care. IRB approval and informed consent was obtained. Students completed Campinha-Bacote&rsquo;s Inventory for Assessing the Process of Culturally Competence Among Healthcare Professionals-Revised (IAPCC-R &copy;) to determine level of cultural competence prior to the first seminar and will complete it again upon completion of the course on December 8, 2015. Students will complete individual interviews to assess their integration of culturally competent practice and any perceived benefits received from the course. Data collection will be completed by December 11, 2015.</p> <p><strong>Findings/Implications: </strong>The extremely small sample size significantly limits the use of the collected data, however, there are a number of potential benefits of this study. Participants may have an enhanced self-awareness of cultural competence in nursing practice that will benefit their practice. Another potential benefit is that the aggregate findings may be used to advance the nursing knowledge on this topic. Findings may also have implications for future nursing education offerings, including incorporating cultural experience as a requirement of all students and demonstrating the inclusion of cultural competence in the NP program.</p>