Preparing Students for International Experiences: Promoting Positive Outcomes

Transcription

1 Preparing Students for International Experiences: Promoting Positive Outcomes Linda Knecht RN, MSN University of Michigan-Flint With recognition: Maureen P. Tippen RN, C, MS; UM-Flint Francis Muthiri, RN/RM/RPN/RCHN/DAN, BScN; St. Mary s Kenya Colleen Knecht RN, MSN student UM-Flint

2 International experiences provide nursing students with unique opportunities to expand their understanding of global health issues and global citizenship

3 Opportunities to enhance Personal development Professional development Global understanding Cultural Competence Communication skills Values clarification Civic engagement

4 Student Purposeful preparation Enhances outcomes related to personal goals/objectives Enhances perception of experience Decreases cultural shock Enhances outcomes related to course goals/objectives

5 Program- Contribution to curricular goals Contribution to meeting essentials of baccalaureate education Opportunities for faculty professional development

6 Site Enhances outcomes related to host site service objectives Promotes partnership building

7 Sample Strategies: Pre-travel Recruiting students Choosing students Relationship and team building Enhancing knowledge of Country Host agencies Service projects Travelling

8 Recruitment Advertising Postings Brochures s Informational meetings Interested in a Service Learning Study Abroad Course? An informational meeting will be held to discuss opportunities in When: Monday, September 21 st from 1-2pm Where: WSW 2202 Presented By: Maureen Tippen and Margie- Murray Wright, Clinical Assistant Professors, Nursing Trips Planned for 2010 International Service Learning in Cambodia Tentative Dates- May 10 th -May 25th (All disciplines) 1:00-1:30pm International Nursing in the Dominican Republic- February 12 th -20th (Nursing students only) 1:30-2:00pm

9 Informational Meetings Faculty presentations Alumni students talk to students Previous course artifacts

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12 Student Application Written Application Goal statement Recommendation Interview

13 Written Application Process Why do you desire to take a study abroad service learning course? Discuss why you would be a good fit to participate in this course. Traveling to another country and being immersed in their culture is the best way to learn about cultural competence and it is a very humbling thing. Your perceptions of your own daily life are changed when you live a day in the life of someone else so different. I look forward to going from an outsider, there to learn and grow about different places and different people, to an insider participating in the growth and learning of the people in the community by focusing on our similarities. This experience will touch me and change me in a way that no class can. It will shape me into the healthcare professional that I will be in just 8 more months! And because of the experience, the people that I meet, and the way my perceptions will change, I will be that much more of a resource to my community

14 Selecting Students Factors to consider: Knowledge/skill base, program, semester Maturity Openness Adaptability Cultural readiness Special talents

15 Recognition of : Individual differences in knowledge and skill set Differences in expectations Personal goals and course goals Creating a successful team

16 Students selected Next steps include: - Pre travel survey - Building of team and knowledge base related to country, people, service projects, travelling - Signing a contract Developing the global soul

17 Service Learning Pre-Assessment What led you to apply for the International Service Learning course to? Anticipated Learning /importance of learning in various areas Deeper understanding of concepts I have already learned about in nursing classes Applying skills I have already learned in nursing classes to real life problems Understanding how complex the problems are with the people I will be servicing Understanding myself better/personal growth How to work with others effectively Developing clinical skills Appreciating different cultures Increasing my comfort level in working with different cultures Seeing world health problems in a real life situation What apprehensions do you have? How do you anticipate this course will affect your clinical practice as a registered nurse? How do you anticipate this course will affect your personal growth?

18 Pre-travel activities: preparing for learning, service, and travel Multiple planning meetings Student Presentations Sunrise Enabler Required & recommended readings Multi media movies/u - tube Kenya Dominican Republic Cambodia

19 Use of Blackboard (or another LMS) Repository of documents Discussion groups Internet links Hi everyone, This website looks pretty useful for learning a little bit of Kiswahili. I hope it's helpful... Sarah

20 exchanges with people of host organization Hey! Good news! Patricia contacted me and we're going to do some communicating! She had some interesting things to say about L&D at St. Mary's and I'm really excited to see how things go. She says that most of the nurses do the normal, uncomplicated deliveries and only contact the doctor when a patient goes bad. She also mentioned that analgesia in labor is very rare. I'm really excited to start asking some questions. ~Sarah Hope all is well there, am from duty and very tired, the ward is full with some several severe cases, today we have admitted 14pts, yesterday 12, in total we have 44 inpatients with majority having gastroenteritis with dehydration, others pneumonia and malaria, its crazy. We received a 4month old with severe Deh20, tried to get i.v line in vain, we ended up doing cutdown but thank God she is better now, the other one came grunting but our resuscitation was fruitless! i wonder if you receive such cases. Have a good day Yours John

21 Detailed travel information & expectations Passport Visa Immunizations Health Money Safety Packing Art of traveling Immigration and customs Phone/internet access

22 Pre travel preparation for service activities Initiating the planning, implementation, and evaluation of service projects emerging from needs of host and consistent with course objectives

23 Alumni hosting a luncheon

24 Securing Donations: The Spirit of Service begins with anticipation of connecting to the world abroad. Students take responsibility in obtaining donations, supplies, medicines.

25 Faculty hosting a Packing Party

26 Ongoing preparation and support During travel Daily meetings Post travel Telephone call Meeting

27 Summary: Purposeful pre-experience preparation including the reflective process enhances student readiness for academic service learning experiences and positive outcomes for the student, academic program, and service agency

28 References Association of Community Health Nurse Educators. (2009). Essentials of baccalaureate nursing education for entry level community/public health nursing. Wheat Ridge, CO. Jacoby, B. (1996). Service-learning in higher education. San Francisco: Jossey-Boss. Johns, A, & Thompson, C. (2010). Developing cultural sensitivity through study abroad. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 22, doi: / Koskinen, L. & Tossavainen, K. (2004). Study abroad as a process of learning intercultural competence in nursing. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 10, Lee, N. (2004). The impact of international experience on student nurses personal and professional development. International Nursing Reviews. 51, Mill, J., Younge, O., & Cameron, B. (2005). Challenges and opportunities of international clinical practica. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship. 2 (1), Ryan, M. & Twibell, R.S. (2002). Outcomes of a transcultural nursing immersion experience: Confirmation of a dimensional matrix. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13, Tonkin, H. (2004). Service learning across cultures: promise and achievement. San Francisco: Jossey-Boss. Winkelman, M. Cultural shock and adaptation. Retrieved 1/21/08 from

29 Questions? Thanks for Coming!