An international comparison of Korean and Chinese nursing students with nursing curricula and educational outcomes

SummaryAimThe aim of this study was to compare Korean and Chinese nursing students with respect to their nursing curricula and educational outcomes including critical thinking, professionalism, leadership, communication skills, and nursing practice skills.MethodsData were collected from 762 nursing college students (355 in Korea and 407 in China) using the validated self-report questionnaires. The instruments were translated into Chinese for the Chinese students.FindingsKorea offered various nursing courses more focused on specific nursing compared to China. With respect to critical thinking skills, the Korean students had significantly higher scores than the Chinese students. The Chinese students had significantly higher scores than the Korean students on the professionalism and communication skills. There were no differences between the groups in scores of leadership and nursing practice skills.Conclusion and recommendationsThis study provides preliminary information on cross-national nursing educational outcomes. A comparison of educational outcomes among nursing students of other countries as well as China will determine differences in nursing educational outcomes that the nursing program is located in, and an international flow of students through the nursing educational should develop a general direction for nursing education.