Date of Award

5-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Nursing (Graduate)

First Advisor

Louann B. Zinsmeister

Second Advisor

Anne B. Woods

Abstract

Health disparities based on race and socioeconomic status persist despite efforts to improve access to care. Culturally competent nurses play an important role in providing quality care and reducing health disparities. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has asked colleges to develop programs to prepare students to decrease health disparities, resulting in nursing programs working to increase cultural competence among students in response to the changing demographic makeup of this country. This paper reviewed and critically appraised current literature regarding methods baccalaureate programs use to develop culturally competent nurses. The evidence based practice question guiding this project was, “Are pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students who are exposed to an educational intervention focused on cultural competence influenced in the care provided to clients from other cultures compared to nursing students who are not exposed to a cultural competence educational intervention?” Results indicated that baccalaureate programs are using a variety of methods to teach cultural competence including study abroad, immersion experiences, nursing and non-nursing culture courses, and integrating cultural components into classroom activities. While much of the evidence is based on self-reported data from students, it appears that study abroad and immersion programs, as well as weaving cultural activities throughout a baccalaureate nursing program, are effective means of cultural education in this population.

Comments

This is an evidence-based practice capstone project submitted to the faculty of the graduate program in nursing in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Nursing.

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