The Impact of Service Learning on Associate Degree Nursing Students' Cultural Competence

Abstract

Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs rarely offer international service learning experiences. A project involving an ADN program in a southwestern U.S. border city and a care facility in a nearby city in Mexico was initiated to address cultural competence. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an international service learning experience on ADN students' cultural competence as measured by pre- and post-scores on the student version of the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Healthcare Professionals-Student Version (IAPCC-SV). Twenty third-semester ADN students participated in a 1-day cross-border international experience. Descriptive statistics provided summaries about the participants and their IAPCC-SV scores. Results indicated a positive effect between participating in an international service learning experience and increased levels of cultural competence. Increasing ADN students' cultural competence through international service learning may help reduce health care disparities among different cultures, promote care that enhances communication between nurses and patients, and build upon therapeutic relationships. International service learning provides ADN students the opportunity to incorporate classroom learning into their care of populations living within diverse communities.