The Influence of Training in Cross-Culturalism on Future Nurses: Can Education Change Prejudiced Attitudes Toward Migrants?

Abstract

Introduction Increased migration may lead to an increase in prejudiced attitudes in the host population, which may affect the nursing care provided to this group. Objectives To identify the attitudes of nursing students toward Moroccan patients and to analyze whether changes in attitude toward this population have taken place after completing a course on cross-culturalism. Method A quasi-experimental design with a single group and pretest/posttest measurements. The sample consisted of 116 nursing students. Results There were significant differences after receiving the course on cross-culturalism, with a more positive influence on students who exhibited the most negative attitudes in the pretest phase. Discussion Nursing students have negative attitudes toward the Moroccan population as do the rest of the host population, but these attitudes improve after their training in the course on cross-culturalism.