Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Publication Title

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Publisher

International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain how participation in an international service-learning project during a community health course influenced transcultural self-efficacy of baccalaureate nursing graduates following graduation and their subsequent clinical practice. A qualitative, explanatory case study was used to conduct telephone interviews with 14 nursing graduates, who had previously participated in international trips to Ecuador or Guatemala. A constant comparative analysis revealed themes related to increased self-efficacy in the cognitive, practical, and affective learning dimensions of cultural competence. Additional themes focused on the importance of experiential learning, the provision of culturally congruent care, and a commitment to international service. The findings indicate that service-learning promotes social growth while providing opportunities to increase self-efficacy during cultural encounters with diverse populations. Nursing graduates were able to provide culturally congruent care as a result of their increased transcultural self-efficacy.

Comments

All papers in IJTLHE are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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