Addressing a global nursing perspective in an undergraduate nursing program: Student learning in clinical education

Abstract

Objective: Although many educational student activities addressing global awareness are highlighted in the literature, the global nursing approach and how it is applied by students in clinical education is not widely described. After the implementation of a new global nursing curriculum, nursing students educated at The Swedish Red Cross University College are now engaged in counteracting inequalities in health. This paper aims to describe how nursing students apply the global nursing perspective during their clinical education.

Methods: The study is based on students’ written individual reflective reports. The procedure for data analysis was inspired by a thematic and interpretive data synthesis. The four stages in Kolb’s learning cycle was used as a framework.

Results: Four themes were identified: 1) Experiencing frailty, suffering and vulnerability; 2) Advocating quality of life and priorities in health; 3) Conceptualizing autonomy, involvement and participation; 4) Making a difference and acting with respect and an open mind.

Conclusions: Consequently, students at the The Swedish Red Cross University College are confident in applying global nursing perspective in care actions. Nursing educators have a mutual responsibility to facilitate students’ knowledge transfers in global competencies and strategies to reduce the impact on the environment and on humans.