MEG Final Report – Leslie Miles, DNP
1) Evaluation of how well the academic objectives of the proposal were met.
Twenty nursing students participated in this international collaboration in Russia and Finland, with two of the students in the role of research assistants (RA). One outcome was for students to be able to closely analyze other healthcare systems. These RAs utilized research principles by devising and editing a research questionnaire to collect quantitative and qualitative data about nursing student’s perceptions about international collaboration activities. In addition the students were mentored to analyze the data and compare to current literature. Several student presentations have resulted.
This unique mentored learning experience provided the opportunity to learn and practice the “Healer’s Art” by the following: 1) Promoting health by students interacting with international nursing peers prior to the visit via email and internet prior to in-country activities and learning experiences in-country. Results were very positive about the learning experience, particularly with BYU nursing students rating very high (Russia: 9.4 and Finland 9 out of 10) that “working with my foreign peer increased my understanding of health issues in another culture” on surveys. 2) Care for the suffering by expanding student’s knowledge of providing culturally competent care. 3) Engage in scholarship of the discipline by developing international relationships with nursing peers and disseminating research findings with three podium presentations and one planned international poster. After another year of data collection in Finland will be completed. Findings will be further be disseminated by article submissions to appropriate journals.
2) Evaluation of the mentoring environment.
Undergraduate students have participated and have had access to their faculty mentor during the different phases of this project. Additionally, students have been able to interact professionally with other international health professionals, which has enhanced their learning. Depending on the phase of the project, research assistants have had experiences in completing a literature review, development or revision of questionnaires, collecting data, entering data into Qualtrics, analyzing data, and preparing publication worthy material, including anticipated poster presentation.
The cross culture mentoring environment was rich for the 20 students participating in the global health program. Students had the opportunity to email and skype their Finnish nursing students and meet with them for a one day of planned activities. In addition, students were able to be mentored by working nurses in Finland for their clinical. Students have been mentored to integrate their secular knowledge with spiritual understandings to enhance their individual growth and recognize the power and spiritual skills that they can develop to communicate with their fellow men.
3) List of students who participated and what academic deliverables they have produced or it is anticipated they will produce.
2014 Students: Sara Bleazard, Katherine Burr, Heidi Carlston, Katherine Edmonds, Anna Marie Ellertson, Ashley Fulton, Abby Harris, Rachel Nuffer, Katrina Peterson, and Janelle Teerlink
2014 Research Assistant: Abigail Harris
1) Harris, A.* & Miles, L. (2014, October). International Student Collaboration: Russian Federation and United States, Scholarly Works Conference, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
2015 Students: Kathyrn Arbon, Samantha Coffey, Kailey Goodman, Kim Hoffman, Maryssa Hyde, Kalene Mears, Alex Rahn, Brooke Stacey, Annie Tyler, Genevieve Vernon
2015 Research Assistant: Kailey Goodman
1) Goodman, K.* & Miles, L. (2015, October). Kala, Juusto, Pulla, and Reindeer: International BYU Nursing Student Collaboration in Finland-Successful Year Yksi, Scholarly Works Conference, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
2) Goodman, K.* & Miles, L. (2016, February). International Nursing Student Collaboration: Finland and U.S. Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research, Salt Lake City, UT
3) Abstract for poster presentation for an International Conference in San Francisco has been submitted for April 2016.
4) Description of the results/findings of the project.
Russia: 18 students total were surveyed with a 17 item paper questionnaire at Nursing School #1, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. 9 BYU students were paired with 9 Russian nursing students for email and skyping activities. There was a one day event with planned activities. Findings indicated that students believed that working with a foreign peer increased their understanding of health care issues in another culture, increased their communication skills, and increased their self-confidence. Due to unforeseen political changes and the nursing school faculty being informed that they were supposed to discontinue their affiliation with an American school, only one year of data was collected.
Finland: The project changed a bit in Finland with 10 BYU students being paired with 2-3 Finnish students. Students again had similar collaborative activities. Questionnaire was revised to 15-itms. Overwhelming, students believed that this was a good learning activity that increased their communication skills and self-confidence. One area Finnish students rated lower: understanding of health issues in another culture. Qualitative findings were positive with the following personal benefit themes identified: improved communication, interacting with global health peers, increased self-confidence, and cultural competency. Students suggested they would like more time with their international peers prior to visit and more in-country activities.
Intercultural learning experiences allowed students from both schools to grow in the areas of understanding other cultures and nursing practices, communication, and self-confidence. Facilitating interactions between nursing students from different cultures, can better prepare students to serve and care for patients from differing cultures. The first year data indicates that this type of international collaborative learning is beneficial for nursing students to increase their cultural competency, communication skills, self-confidence, and understanding of healthcare systems.
5) Description of how the budget was spent:
RA Hourly Wage: $298
Support for travel: $4000
In-Country Activities: $200
Supplies: $64.26
Dissemination: $0
Total: $ 4562.26
Remaining funds: $15,437.74
There is still an international conference in San Francisco to pay student costs. Remainder of funds will be utilized to fund another year of students in Finland and gathering surveys, then disseminating findings.