Graduating nursing students' preparedness and comfort level in caring for LGBTQ+ patients.

Abstract

Nursing students must be prepared to care for diverse patient populations, including sexual and gender minorities. The purpose of this study was to conduct a national survey of graduating prelicensure nursing students to assess their perceived preparedness for and comfort level with providing care for LGBTQ+ patients. A multisite descriptive correlational design was utilized in conjunction with a modified version of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Medical Education Assessment tool to survey graduating prelicensure nursing students' perceived levels of preparedness and comfort regarding their provision of care to LGBTQ+ individuals. Students indicated that LGBTQ+ health topics had been covered in their programs, but some required further attention. The majority reported feeling prepared and sufficiently comfortable to provide care for LGBTQ+ patients but did not attribute this to their academic nursing education. Select demographic variables were significantly correlated to student levels of preparedness and comfort. Nursing education programs must continue to evaluate curricular LGBTQ+ health content to ensure that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and confidence necessary to serve this unique patient population.