The impact of international experience on student nurses' personal and professional development.
BACKGROUND
Many student nurses undertake international clinical experience during their education programmes, which raises the question 'How do these experiences impact on students nurses' personal and professional development?'


METHODS
A case study was conducted in one School of Nursing in the United Kingdom. Student nurses participating in a new module, International Nursing and Health Care, which included clinical experience overseas, gave qualitative accounts of their international experiences and subsequent learning. Their accounts were also compared with the perceptions and expectations of the module facilitators.


RESULTS
While there were some similarities in student experience and facilitator expectations, there were also notable differences. The students believed that their international experiences had a deep impact on their personal development, helping them make the transition from student to qualified nurse. The case study raised further questions about the acquisition of cultural knowledge and the facilitation and provision of learning from experience.
Lee
N-J
NJ
School of Nursing, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK. n.lee@salford.ac.uk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D016746:Transcultural Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006113:United Kingdom