Exploring a Nurse Practitioner Study Abroad Experience Using Thematic Analysis

Purpose: Study abroad experiences are uncommon but increasing in nursing education, including at the graduate level. Demonstrating student benefit and conveying the results of study abroad experiences is important to fostering student interest, funding support, organizational engagement, and leadership experience.

Background: Cultural awareness is a tenet of nursing education and practice. Lectures, guest speakers, and videos provide superficial exposure to other cultures. Experiential learning better demonstrates the motivations and priorities of others. Purposive reflection and photo-documentation are strategies often used in experiential learning. Approaches such as using qualitative research methods to organize meaning could deepen learning benefits.

Methodology: Students completed readings about the host country’s culture and healthcare system prior to the study abroad experience. Students used open and question-based journaling throughout a 6-day study abroad experience. Planned and impromptu discussions occurred with multiple healthcare professionals and between faculty and students. Thematic analysis of journal entries and photographs was conducted. Results were discussed for agreement. In this project, those directly in the experience were also the analysts; though not typical, this increased student involvement and produced results highly connected to the subject, sometimes desirable in exploration.

Results: Three primary themes from experiences of the host country’s culture and healthcare were identified: 1) Connectedness, intentional, organized linkages of people and processes; 2) Practical Innovation, outcome-focused practices to improve conditions; and 3) Tolerance, allowance for differing beliefs without impinging on others. Theme details will be demonstrated on the poster.

Implications for Nursing: Students’ approach to planning care and policy work may demonstrate a greater awareness of others’ cultural needs from study abroad exposure. Grounding care and policy in cultural awareness may improve patient outcomes while enhancing system equity. Exposure to different problem-solving approaches to healthcare challenges is another benefit of study abroad experiences. Participation in experiential strategies, including qualitative research engagement, may enhance study abroad experiences.