| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2669322 | Journal of Professional Nursing | 2011 | 6 Pages |
An experience of studying abroad enhances undergraduate nursing education by broadening the student's perspective about different cultures, heightening awareness of a global society and foreign customs and traditions, stimulating interest in international work and research, fostering personal development, building skill in a foreign language, and serving as a bridge between theory and practice. Despite a large number of published reports about international experiences for nursing students, little is known about the number of baccalaureate programs that offer a semester abroad or the percent of students who participate. A mailed paper-and-pencil survey was completed by 382 administrators of baccalaureate nursing programs listed in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing database. Eighty-nine schools (23.3%) offer a semester study abroad opportunity. Of those, 39 (44%) offer clinical nursing courses taught by nursing faculty. Most (76%) of the 89 schools reported that only 0%–5% of students participated in the semester abroad program. Despite the small number of baccalaureate programs that offer a semester abroad experience and the small percentage of students who participate, respondents listed a large number and variety of advantages and offered strategies that facilitate their programs. Curricular innovations that allow 17%–26% of juniors in the baccalaureate nursing program at Boston College to study abroad for a semester are elucidated.
