International Service-Learning for Nurse Practitioner Students: Enhancing Clinical Practice Skills and Cultural Competence.

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this project was to determine whether an international service-learning nurse-led clinic was a beneficial experience for nurse practitioner (NP) students in improving diagnostic and cultural confidence, skills acquisition, and cultural competence during a clinical practicum.

METHOD:

The sample consisted of 10 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students in various NP tracks during an international service-learning experience in Guatemala. A Likert survey was used for student evaluation of experience. An analytic grading rubric measured clinical and cultural performance.

RESULTS:

Practice competency scores were high overall ( M  = 3.36;  SD  = 0.664). All students increased their confidence in diagnostic abilities ( M  = 4.89;  SD  = 0.422) and in caring for a culturally diverse population ( M  = 4.89;  SD  = 0.333).

CONCLUSION:

An international service-learning nurse-led clinic used to complement clinical practice hours as a beneficial experience in assisting NP students in developing diagnostic and cultural confidence.  [ J Nurs Educ.  2019;58(9):548–551.]