The objectives for these courses include demonstrating awareness of other cultures, identifying personal cultural biases, and integrating cultural care in professional practice settings. Intercultural Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University has both components. Students have spent time at hospitals in Gabon, Kenya, Russia, Zimbabwe and Haiti, as well as in a Mexican clinic, a Cambodian health center, Indian reservations in the United States, and at local providers of care for Mexican migrants. Students research cultural phenomena for their chosen location in order to have a basic knowledge of the culture upon arrival. The experience is stretching and life changing.
Students report on their experiences during the next school year.
Cultural care and sensitivity is required of healthcare professionals today. Each professional will encounter cultural similarities and differences in their clients and their co-workers. An ability of manage quality care in the changing landscape of healthcare today is a skill that can be learned and must be practiced. The landscape is changing but the need for culturally sensitive, excellent care will never change. Author Barbara a.