International Service-Learning for Nurse Practitioner Students: Enhancing Clinical Practice Skills and Cultural Competence.

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine whether an international service-learning nurse-led clinic was a beneficial experience for nurse practitioner (NP) students in improving diagnostic and cultural confidence, skills acquisition, and cultural competence during a clinical practicum. The sample consisted of 10 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students in various NP tracks during an international service-learning experience in Guatemala. A Likert survey was used for student evaluation of experience. An analytic grading rubric measured clinical and cultural performance. Practice competency scores were high overall (M = 3.36; SD = 0.664). All students increased their confidence in diagnostic abilities (M = 4.89; SD = 0.422) and in caring for a culturally diverse population (M = 4.89; SD = 0.333). An international service-learning nurse-led clinic used to complement clinical practice hours as a beneficial experience in assisting NP students in developing diagnostic and cultural confidence. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(9):548-551.].