I am looking for my truth: undergraduate nursing student’s journey in Indigenous Australian cultural competence

Abstract

Cultural competency training is increasingly being embraced within undergraduate nursing education (Downing & Kowal, 2010; Ranzijn, McConnochie, Day, & Nolan, 2006). This research sought to explore students lived experiences of cultural competence across a three year Bachelor of Nursing degree. The participants of this study were undergraduate nursing students. In 2012, first year students enrolled in a cultural competency subject within the Bachelor of Nursing Course were recruited to participate. Subsequently, second year students were recruited in 2013, and third year students in 2014. Truth seeking was a major theme found in the data of year one students. This paper will explore this theme and how the interdependent sub themes of previous truths, new knowledge, critical thinking and confirming the new truth, play a role in the student’s journey of Indigenous Australian cultural competence. Essentially, truth seeking was a unique and deeply personal sense of enquiry that stimulated the student in their journey of Indigenous Australian cultural competence. Students used the tool of critical thinking in all cycles of their search for the “truth”. Congruent with Ranzijn, McConnochie et al. (2006), the process of truth seeking combined with a connection to people and a transformative experience, allowed for optimal conditions for students to move a step on the continuum of cultural competence.