Nursing is a highly diverse field, and many schools offer their students opportunities to study abroad. Taking advantage of these experiences offers multiple benefits for nurses, including learning about different cultures and healthcare systems.
Understanding the differences in language, dietary needs, and beliefs can help nurses better care for their patients. Learn more about 6 Benefits of International Nursing Programs and Experiences.
Learn a New Language
Nurses must be able to communicate with patients effectively. Many international nursing programs require students to learn a new language, which can help them communicate better with their patients. Having this skill can also open up more opportunities for nurses, as some countries only hire nurses who speak their native language.
Nursing is a people-focused profession, and there are few experiences that can better prepare students for the diversity of cultures, languages and beliefs than studying abroad. Living in a foreign country requires shifts in perspective, and forces students to examine the impact of different worldviews and lifestyles.
Studying abroad can also expose students to different healthcare environments and the challenges of delivering patient care in less-developed areas. This can give students a greater appreciation for the resources and tools that are available to them as nurses in developed nations, and how their work can have an impact on patients globally.
For example, a UC student enrolled in the Fall semester of an international nursing program in Australia learned about the challenges faced by patients living with HIV/AIDS and other health conditions. She described the experience as a “life-changing” one that made her more aware of how important it is to support and treat individuals with HIV, even in less-developed nations. The trip also taught her that there are many global initiatives working to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, and how important it is for nurses to be able to connect with patients from all walks of life.
Gain a New Perspective on the World
Nursing students who have participated in international nursing programs and experiences can appreciate the diversity of healthcare needs across the globe. They can also better understand the social barriers that exist and learn how international initiatives seek to promote greater equality.
For Marquette students, nursing abroad can provide a unique perspective and a different lens through which to see the world. For example, during her study abroad in Ireland, senior Sophie Brackett learned how a socialized health care system operates and how it prioritizes preventive healthcare in a way that the U.S. health care system does not. This new insight helped her develop more empathy and understanding for the patients she will encounter in her future career.
Similarly, senior Kristen Gadbois, who recently traveled to South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, says that her experience in an unfamiliar health care system taught her that there are many types of patients and their individual needs are equally important. She was able to use her burgeoning knowledge of Spanish and the supplies she carried in a backpack to bring care and compassion to the patients she treated.
While the global healthcare environment continues to evolve, there is no doubt that nurses with international experience will be in high demand. This is because international nurses can offer a broader perspective and more adaptable approach to patient care than nurses with only domestic experience.
Develop New Relationships
Whether you’re traveling to a new country or working alongside international nursing students and colleagues, you’ll be introduced to people from all walks of life. These relationships can be invaluable throughout your career, as they will allow you to gain a richer understanding of how different cultures view and approach health care.
The skills you develop through these interactions will make your job as a nurse much more fulfilling, and they’ll help you to better understand the unique challenges faced by patients from various backgrounds. In addition, global experiences can help you to become more empathetic toward those who have less access to resources and aid.
For example, a group of nursing students who traveled to Ireland learned about the country’s system of socialized medicine and how it differed from what they were used to at home. As a result, they gained an appreciation for the hard work of Irish nurses and their dedication to their communities.
The recent outbreaks of infectious diseases have shown why it’s important for nurses to view health care through a global lens. Nursing students who pursue an international education will not only learn more about their own profession, but they’ll also be better prepared to assist patients from a variety of backgrounds when they graduate and start looking for jobs. Having these valuable experiences on your resume can give you an edge over the competition.
Gain a New Perspective on Yourself
Whether you are already a nurse or are just starting your career, international nursing experiences can help give you a new perspective on the world and how you want to work in the field. By working overseas, you’ll be able to see the dedication that people from other countries have for their profession and how they go about caring for patients. This experience can also make you more open-minded and accepting of other cultures, which is essential for being a successful nurse. There are already RN to BSN programs available online as featured on DallasNews.com that can be something people might be interested.
International nursing can take on a number of forms, from volunteering abroad to participating in an internship program while completing your degree. The most important aspect is that it gives nurses and students the chance to develop a deeper understanding of their chosen profession by practicing it in a foreign environment.
Cross-cultural awareness is a vital skill for nurses to have, and nursing abroad offers an opportunity to build this ability in a way that directly benefits your career. Regardless of where you decide to work, being able to understand and relate to diverse communities will ensure that you are providing the best care possible for your patients.
In addition, nursing clinical immersion trips can offer a unique opportunity to examine local social determinants of health and the impact they have on health. For example, a student nurse in Belize reported that many residents didn’t know the importance of regular checkups or how to manage their health. By working with a local nonprofit organization, she and her fellow students set up one-day health fairs in public parks to educate local residents.
Develop a New Perspective on Health Care
Developing a new perspective on different cultures helps nurses learn and understand methods of treatment and care from a wide variety of locations and practices. The experience also helps nurses gain a greater understanding of what it means to be a nurse and a more considerate outlook when dealing with people of all backgrounds.
Nursing is a people-focused career, and nothing better prepares aspiring nursing professionals for the diverse patient groups they will encounter on the job than international academic experiences. Studies published in the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice have shown that nurses who participated in study abroad programs had a deeper understanding and sensitivity to cross-cultural care and a stronger connection to global citizenship.
Nursing abroad allows nursing students and graduates to add an impressive resume-building component to their education and career, which can help increase their job opportunities upon returning home. Traveling, working or volunteering internationally shows potential employers that the nurses have a desire to challenge themselves and are not afraid of learning alternative systems and methods.
Develop a New Perspective on Your Career
Developing a new perspective on different cultures is a valuable experience for nurses and nursing students. This can directly impact the way nurses see their own profession and the types of patients they treat. For example, a student nurse who travels to Ireland to learn about its system of socialized health care will likely develop an appreciation for how robust the country’s medical system is and a new level of empathy for those in less-developed countries who may not have access to as many resources.
This global awareness can also help nurses better understand their patients and their cultural beliefs that may influence their response to medications, treatments and other medical interventions. It’s important for nurses to have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of a patient’s culture, as this will ensure the most effective and safe care possible.
In a time when the world feels smaller and more connected, completing an international nursing experience can be one of the best ways for nurses and nursing students to gain a global perspective and develop a deeper understanding of other people’s lives. These benefits can significantly improve the quality of patient care nurses provide when they return to their home communities and can help them develop a more versatile career as well.