Other Titles
Fostering Cultural Competence through Development of an Innovative Global Health Course: Enhancing Nursing Education to Address Global Health Challenges [Title Slide]
Abstract
Purpose: This abstract outlines the development and implementation of a global health course for undergraduate nursing students. The course aims to introduce foundational global health concepts and explore the role of nurses in addressing health disparities, promoting equity, and leading health initiatives on a global scale.
Introduction: Global health issues are growing in complexity and impact, necessitating that nursing students develop competencies in cultural understanding, ethics, and leadership. This course aims to bridge global health and nursing practice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address health challenges among diverse populations worldwide.
Methodology/Implementation: The course is delivered through a blended synchronous and asynchronous virtual format, combining flexibility with active engagement. Core modules cover cultural health beliefs, cultural humility, and global health ethics, including a focus on social determinants of health (SDOH) and the role of nurses in advancing global health initiatives. Interactive discussion boards foster reflection on cultural sensitivity and civic responsibility, and the course examines the impacts of globalization, climate change, and innovative technologies such as Omics on health outcomes. Guest speakers who lived or have engaged in research in other countries such as India, Haiti and Papa New Guinea have also presented to students and provided diverse perspectives on real-world applications. Students also virtually met with nursing students from India to discuss international nursing practices. A reflective paper on global ethics in healthcare further encourages critical thinking.
Evaluation: Student feedback was gathered through course evaluations, focusing on content relevance, learning experience, and impact on understanding of global health.
Conclusions/Implications: This course successfully enhanced students' understanding of global health, emphasizing cultural humility, ethical considerations, and the importance of social responsibility. Through integrating these essential skills into the nursing curriculum, this course prepares students to contribute effectively to global health initiatives, advocate for health equity, and lead efforts to improve health outcomes across diverse communities. Findings support the value of global health courses in nursing education as a means to empower future nurses to address global health challenges.
Notes
References:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. American
Association of Colleges of Nursing. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Education-Resources/AACN-Essentials
Browne, A. J., Varcoe, C., Ford-Gilboe, M., & Wathen, C. N. (2021). Addressing inequities: A framework for integrating cultural safety into
nursing curricula. Journal of Nursing Education, 60(4), 194-200. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20210322-02
Kohlbry, P. W., & Daugherty, J. (2019). Nursing students' cultural competence and the role of education in global health engagement. Nurse Education Today, 82, 88-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.08.014
Leffers, J., & Plotnick, J. (2023). Integrating global health and nursing education: Perspectives on leadership and advocacy. Nursing Education Perspectives, 44(1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001045
Sigma Membership
Delta Rho at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Curriculum Development, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Undergraduate Nursing Students, Global Health Course
Recommended Citation
Fennessey, Anita G. and Szajna, Amy, "Fostering Cultural Competence through Development of an Innovative Global Health Course" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 167.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/167
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Fostering Cultural Competence through Development of an Innovative Global Health Course
Seattle, Washington, USA
Purpose: This abstract outlines the development and implementation of a global health course for undergraduate nursing students. The course aims to introduce foundational global health concepts and explore the role of nurses in addressing health disparities, promoting equity, and leading health initiatives on a global scale.
Introduction: Global health issues are growing in complexity and impact, necessitating that nursing students develop competencies in cultural understanding, ethics, and leadership. This course aims to bridge global health and nursing practice, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address health challenges among diverse populations worldwide.
Methodology/Implementation: The course is delivered through a blended synchronous and asynchronous virtual format, combining flexibility with active engagement. Core modules cover cultural health beliefs, cultural humility, and global health ethics, including a focus on social determinants of health (SDOH) and the role of nurses in advancing global health initiatives. Interactive discussion boards foster reflection on cultural sensitivity and civic responsibility, and the course examines the impacts of globalization, climate change, and innovative technologies such as Omics on health outcomes. Guest speakers who lived or have engaged in research in other countries such as India, Haiti and Papa New Guinea have also presented to students and provided diverse perspectives on real-world applications. Students also virtually met with nursing students from India to discuss international nursing practices. A reflective paper on global ethics in healthcare further encourages critical thinking.
Evaluation: Student feedback was gathered through course evaluations, focusing on content relevance, learning experience, and impact on understanding of global health.
Conclusions/Implications: This course successfully enhanced students' understanding of global health, emphasizing cultural humility, ethical considerations, and the importance of social responsibility. Through integrating these essential skills into the nursing curriculum, this course prepares students to contribute effectively to global health initiatives, advocate for health equity, and lead efforts to improve health outcomes across diverse communities. Findings support the value of global health courses in nursing education as a means to empower future nurses to address global health challenges.
Description
This global health course for nursing students introduces foundational concepts, emphasizing the role of nurses in global health initiatives and health equity. Delivered online with synchronous and asynchronous elements, it covers cultural humility, ethics, social determinants of health, and the impacts of globalization and technology. Engaging discussion boards, guest speakers, and international student exchanges deepen understanding.