International Collaboration: Promoting Global Citizenship, Cultural Competence, and Leadership Skills among Baccalaureate Nursing Students

In order to provide quality health care, nurses must apply knowledge, leadership and communication skills. In addition, the professional nurse must develop the necessary skills to provide culturally appropriate care in the multicultural environment in which we live. Nurse educators must provide experiences that facilitate the development of these skills.

Nursing students at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise have been traveling to Body and Soul Ministries of Belize, Central America, during Spring Break for the past six years to provide healthcare for residents of a small multicultural community. One of the goals of the college is for their graduates to develop an understanding of global citizenship. The intent of this podium presentation is to describe how one school of nursing has developed and sustained an international collaboration that promotes the development of global citizenship, cultural competence and communication and leadership skills among baccalaureate nursing students.

Developing an appreciation for diversity is necessary for providing culturally appropriate care. This international collaboration provides opportunities to care for individuals of various cultural backgrounds. Providing care for a large number of individuals in a short time frame in unfamiliar environments without the luxury of air conditioning or running water requires teambuilding skills and effective communication.  

Becoming a global citizen requires acquisition of knowledge about various cultures, awareness and appreciation of diverse practices among these cultures, and a willingness to collaborate with the citizens of these cultures. This international collaboration provides the opportunity for participants to acquire an understanding of the health problems and issues related to the availability of healthcare in a country other than their own.  In addition, the cultural health practices of the population served are explored.

 Over the course of the years of travel to Belize, students have learned communication skills, global citizenship, collaboration skills and cultural competence. Acquiring and refining these skills and characteristics are required for leadership development. For many, this trip was the beginning of a journey to becoming leaders, leaders committed to promoting the health of individuals, families and communities worldwide.