The impact of cultural immersion international learning experiences on cultural competence of nursing students: A critical integrative review

• Published in: Journal of professional nursing 2021-09, Vol.37 (5), p.875-884
• Main Authors: Matthews, Elise J., Clune, Laurie, Luhanga, Florence, Loewen, Reny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cultural competence; Cultural safety; International placements; Nursing; Nursing education
• ISSN: 8755-7223; 1532-8481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.07.002

Cultural immersion international learning experiences (CIILEs) are commonly offered in undergraduate nursing education programs worldwide, often with the goal to enhance students' cultural competence. The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the most recent existing literature concerning the impact of CIILEs on nursing students' cultural competence and to cast a critical eye on the findings. We searched the CINAHL database for articles published from 2015 to 2019 and found 30 that met inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were descriptive or qualitative designs and reported positive overall student cultural competence outcomes. The findings support the use of CIILEs with a critical eye for potential negative consequences. The authors recommend further longitudinal, observational studies to identify factors that facilitate substantial long-term positive outcomes. •Carefully designed CIILEs can foster cultural competence, humility, and safety.•Thorough preparation and debriefing can prevent essentialist notions of culture.•CIILEs should benefit host communities through meaningful collaboration.•Hybrid virtual/remote, a/synchronous, and in-person/local CIILEs should be explored.•Cultural competence should be observed and measured by patient outcomes.