title: The "Strengthening Nursing Culture Project" - an exploratory evaluation study of nursing students' placements within Aboriginal Medical Services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cultural awareness and cultural competence have been the focus of the transcultural nursing literature that has explored the roles and responsibilities of nurses in their care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Cultural immersion programs, upholding cultural safety and cultural humility, offer valuable guidance to the education of nursing students regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study seeks to explore nursing students' experiences of a cultural immersion program within Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs) in New South Wales, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight nursing students participated in a mixed methods design exploratory study of their clinical placement within AMSs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey gathered data regarding levels of preparation and confidence, learning barriers, placement stressors and personal reflections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nursing students reported positive and transformative experiences of intercultural learning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cultural immersion programs provide a valuable framework for the design and evaluation of clinical placement programs for nursing students within intercultural learning spaces.
authors: a School of Nursing , University of Notre Dame Australia , Sydney Campus, Sydney , Australia.
authors: Bethne
authors: B
authors: Hart
authors: b School of Medicine , University of Notre Dame Australia , Sydney Campus, Sydney , Australia.
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Cavanagh
authors: a School of Nursing , University of Notre Dame Australia , Sydney Campus, Sydney , Australia.
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Douglas
mesh_terms: D054521:Cultural Competency; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D013338:Students, Nursing; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
keywords: Aboriginal Medical Services; Aboriginal health; clinical placements; cultural competence; cultural immersion; cultural safety; nursing students