Intercâmbio académico internacional: uma oportunidade para a formação do futuro enfermeiro

• Published in: Referência (Coimbra) 2016-09, Vol.serIV (10), p.59-67
• Main Authors: Carvalho, Jordana Lopes, Backes, Dirce Stein, Lomba, Maria de Lurdes Lopes de Freitas, Colomé, Juliana Silveira
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: NURSING
• ISSN: 0874-0283; 2182-2883
• DOI: 10.12707/RIV16018

Background: International academic mobility allows for the exchange of scientific and cultural knowledge, namely on health technologies, the sharing of information and experiences, and the increase of professional opportunities. Objectives: To identify the benefits of international academic mobility for nursing education from the students' perspective. Methodology: We conducted an exploratory-descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, with a sample of 17 students who had participated in international mobility programs in the Franciscan University Center - Santa Maria/RS/Brazil and in the Nursing School of Coimbra/Portugal. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and then submitted to content analysis. Results: Data analysis resulted in 3 categories: Health in the home country vs. health in the host country - contextualizing professional knowledge and experiences; Academic mobility - possibility for the development of students' autonomy; and Opening horizons - cultural contributions in the process of academic mobility. Conclusion: Academic mobility processes enable the contact with new clinical and research practices, which improves students' education and professional performance as future nurses.