Registered nurses' experiences and perceptions of supervising international nursing students in a clinical setting – A qualitative study

Abstract

AimThe aim of the study was to examine the experiences and perceptions of Indian RNs who supervise Norwegian undergraduate nursing students during their clinical practice in India. BackgroundThe globalization process has generated a need for registered nurses (RNs) to develop cultural competence. As a result, nursing education and policy need to respond to the challenging nature of global health and prepare RNs to work with diverse cultures by enhancing their cultural competence to help them encounter patients from different cultural backgrounds. Yet, the research investigating the experience of supervisors in non-western countries receiving students from western countries is sparse DesignAn exploratory descriptive design. MethodsEight individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken by Indian Registered nurses, supervising Norwegian nursing students. Three of the interviews were conducted in their workplace in India, while the rest were carried out using Zoom conference due to the COVID19 pandemic. The interviews were conducted between January – December 2020. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. ResultsThematic analysis elicited four main themes: 1) Preparation to receive international students, 2) The role of supervising international students, 3) Learning from the students, 4) Challenges of supervising international students ConclusionsParticipants provided valuable insights into the role of supervising international nursing students in India. This insight is considered important since many students from Western countries go to non-Western countries for international exchanges. The study highlights the fact that the method of supervision is connected to the culture and is different in Western and non-Western countries. Even though they acknowledged several challenges with having international students, supervisors emphasized that having international students was a positive experience and that they learned from them.