Benefits of Studying Nursing Abroad
Last Updated on December 28, 2022 by Omoyeni Adeniyi
As a matter of fact, preparing for nursing school can be fun and at the same time, quite tasking. However, there is really nothing like finally seeing your dreams come true; your dreams of becoming a nurse in this case. Moving on, how much do you know though, about the benefits of studying nursing abroad? Read on to find out more.
The article below brings you the latest information on the benefits of studying nursing abroad, benefits of international nursing, study nursing abroad for free, benefits of foreign nurses, best country to study nursing abroad & which country is best for nursing study. You will also find related posts on the benefits of studying nursing abroad on koboguide.
About Benefits of International Nursing
Cultural competency in healthcare — loosely defined as providing care compatible with a patient’s values, beliefs and behaviors — has never been more important in the nursing profession. For nurse leaders who are positioned to influence changes in healthcare systems — including those earning their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree — one way to achieve cultural competency goals is through nursing study abroad programs that complement nurse education.
Census data shows that by 2044, demographics in the United States will have shifted dramatically — non-Hispanic white Americans will make up less than 50 percent of the population. As nurse leaders increasingly interact with patients from various backgrounds, they must adjust and adapt their practice to meet the changing demographics.
Studies show international education opportunities have had a positive impact on nursing students. In some cases, they have been life-changing, researchers said in a Journal of Nursing & Patient Care study.
“Exposure to global health experiences through study abroad has become an increasingly important means in providing such opportunities, as part of nursing curricula,” study authors said. “These study-abroad opportunities have been found to benefit nursing students in many ways by providing students with opportunities to acquire knowledge in a foreign country, thereby gaining diverse cultural perspectives, as well as global competence.”
Today, a growing number of nursing programs are offering transcultural experiences for all nursing students, including students enrolled in online DNP programs. For example, within its DNP curriculum, Duquesne University provides an opportunity for students to study abroad in Italy or Ireland to learn more about global healthcare perspectives.
Advantages to Nurses Study Abroad
Duquesne University nursing students who took part in overseas learning opportunities said the programs gave them a deeper understanding of other cultures, particularly in clinical settings. The Journal of Nursing & Patient Care said nurses could see several advantages to international study:
Cultural awareness
While meeting academic goals, international students are able to embrace the customs, history and traditions of their host countries. By being immersed in a host country’s culture and its political and economic systems, students are able to better appreciate the similarities and differences between the host and home countries.
Nursing students studying in developing countries also learn to appreciate the healthcare barriers faced by vulnerable populations and how international initiatives are working to improve social equality. They can experience firsthand the impact that non-governmental organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have in developing countries.
Personal growth
Nursing study abroad gives students an opportunity to reflect on their experience with cultural stereotyping while gaining a better understanding of people of other cultures and ethnicities. Many nursing students also experience personal growth that contributes to self-confidence and a sense of autonomy.
Cultural immersion
Students who study abroad immerse themselves in all aspects of their host country, from learning a new language to experiencing new foods. Such immersion may be of assistance if the student wishes to return to the country to pursue a nursing career.
The immersive experience also provides opportunities to examine local determinates of health, including the impact of a region’s environment and dietary choices on wellness.
“Such exposure to variables, not found in the native country, provides occasions for students to gain cultural competence and to understand issues from varied perspectives,” said researchers in the Journal of Nursing & Patient Care.
Networking
While working closely and interacting with other nurses, faculty members, roommates and community leaders, nurses can build a cadre of international colleagues who may play a role in future endeavors.
Indeed, other research studies have also underscored the connection between international academic experiences and cultural competence in nursing. In the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, researchers said nursing students who participated in study-abroad programs experienced an increased appreciation and sensitivity to cross-cultural care, a better understanding of their own cultural identity and a stronger connection to global citizenship.
DNP-Prepared Nurses and Studying Abroad
For nurse leaders who interact with diverse patient populations, cultural competence is essential. In “The Culturally Competent Leader,” the authors said nurse leaders are responsible for implementing organizational cultural competency by developing objectives and goals for healthcare organizations, setting the tone for positive interactions and coordinating strategic outreach plans.
The curriculum in Duquesne University’s online DNP program provides opportunities for nurse leaders to engage in experiences that will broaden their understanding of cultural differences. DNP students enrolled in the university’s Transcultural Care and Global Health Perspectives course explore and analyze the impact of transcultural nursing on a rapidly changing society. Students also have an opportunity to take part in a transcultural nursing experience at one of the university’s international campus locations: St. Michael’s House in Dublin or Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Rome.
About Duquesne University’s Online DNP Program
Duquesne University’s online DNP program prepares nurses to lead cultural competency efforts in healthcare institutions across the United States. Through the DNP program, students learn how culture, ethnicity and values can impact patient care. In addition, students gain the confidence and know-how to become healthcare leaders.
Duquesne University has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in nursing education, most recently among the “Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs” by U.S. News & World Report. The university’s online DNP program provides one-on-one faculty mentorships and a 100 percent online curriculum. For more information, contact Duquesne University now.
About Study Nursing Abroad for Free
Planning to study nursing and need some additional funding? Luckily there a wide range of scholarships available to help aspiring nurses achieve their ambitions. Check out these nursing scholarships on offer around the world, broken down by region…
Nursing scholarships to study in the US and Canada
United States
A Nurse I am Scholarship by Cherokee Uniforms – Awards up to 10 scholarships, each worth US$2,000, to nursing students.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) – Offers Continuing Professional Development Scholarships to help members acquire knowledge and skills beyond traditional academic nursing education. A limited number of scholarships for specific academic courses will continue to be awarded.
Cascade Healthcare Solutions Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship – An annual $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring nurse who is currently enrolled in (or accepted for) an undergraduate nursing program. You need to be either a legal resident of the US or hold a valid student visa to apply.
Delta State University – A variety of scholarships on offer to study at the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing.
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing – Various merit-based funding opportunities are available for MSN and DNP programs at the university, ranging from US$7,500 to full tuition. With the exception of the Fuld Fellowship in Patient Care Quality and Safety, no separate applications are required.
Johnson & Johnson Discover Nursing Scholarships Database – Search and find scholarships in the US by state, study level and requirements with this handy tool, which lists over 340 nursing scholarships.
National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) – Offers annual scholarships for students who are NBNA members or local chapter members, currently enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program, and have at least one full year of study remaining. Awards range from US$1,000 to $6,000.
Northern Illinois University – Various scholarships available to study nursing. Only admitted nursing majors are eligible.
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program – Enables students accepted or enrolled in a diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs, to receive funding for tuition, fees and other educational costs in exchange for working at an eligible NURSE Corps site upon graduation. Applicants must be US citizens (born or naturalized), nationals or lawful permanent residents.
University of Washington School of Nursing – Various fellowships and awards are available to study nursing at the University of Washington at all study levels.
Canada
Canadian Nurses Foundation – A range of awards to support Canadian students of nursing at various study levels, from baccalaureate to doctorate.
Montfort Hospital – Six Montfort Clinical Excellence Scholarships of CA$6,000 each are available to study nursing in French. You must have an outstanding academic record and be registered in a baccalaureate nursing program at an Ontario university.
StudentAid BC Nurses’ Education Bursary – Bursary awards of between CA$500 and $2,000 are available for full-time nursing students in British Columbia who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
University of Alberta – Various scholarships to study nursing at the university are available, including the Ambassador Award, granted based on academic excellence.
University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) – A variety of nursing scholarships for current and entering students of UPEI’s nursing school, such as the Friends of UPEI Calgary Bill and Denise Andrew Scholarship in Nursing, which awards up to CA$5,000 for students entering their nursing course, with preference given to students from Calgary.
University of Toronto Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing – Over 75 undergraduate awards and 100 graduate fellowships are available, awarded based on academic excellence and/or financial need.
Nursing scholarships to study in the United Kingdom
Florence Nightingale Foundation – A range of research, travel and leadership scholarships are available from the foundation.
Margaret Parkinson Scholarships – Up to £2,500 per annum is available for graduates of a non-nursing degree who wish to begin training to become a nurse. Only open to students based in the UK.
Queen’s University Belfast Patricia Napier Scholarships – Two postgraduate scholarships covering tuition and registration fees are available to study an MSc or postgraduate diploma at Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The Barbers’ Company Clinical Nursing Scholarship – Offers up to £10,000 to a student pursuing a career in clinical nursing by studying a related master’s in an academic department in the UK or at an approved academic department of nursing overseas.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – If you’re a qualified nurse working in Wales, or are studying to become a qualified nurse at an institution in Wales, you can apply for the June Clark Travel Scholarship, which awards up to £1,000.
University of Edinburgh Nursing Studies Alumni Scholarship – A £3,500 scholarship open to all applicants, including international students, to study postgraduate taught degrees in nursing.
University of Surrey Ted Adams Trust Scholarships for Student Nurses – Awards £3,000 a year for a maximum of three years to mature students (aged 25 and above) studying an undergraduate or postgraduate nursing degree at the university.
Nursing scholarships to study in Asia
International Medical University, Malaysia – Scholarships are available to fully or partially cover the tuition fees for the full duration of a nursing degree at the International Medical University in Kuala Lumpur. They are awarded to both international and domestic students based on academic excellence, extra curriculum participation and leadership qualities.
National University of Singapore Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (ALCNS) – Scholarships and bursaries are available for nursing students at the university, including bursaries open to students of any nationality.
University of Hong Kong School of Nursing – Various scholarships to study at the university, including the Academic Elite Scholarship in Nursing, which awards up to HK$231,500 to high-caliber students.
Nursing scholarships to study in Australia or New Zealand
New Zealand Nurses’ Organization (NZNO) – Various grants and scholarships to study nursing, available for NZNO members only.
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) – ACN runs a number of scholarships funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Department of Social Services. It is not required to be a member of ACN to apply for these scholarships.
University of South Australia – The School of Nursing and Midwifery offers a range of scholarships.
University of Sydney, Sydney Nursing School – Various scholarships available to study nursing at the university, ranging in value from AU$2,500 to $87,500.
About Benefits of Foreign Nurses
Why International Experience is Essential for Nurses
by TRACEY LONG – Last updated on January 26, 2016
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Travel Inspiration
Learning about diverse people, cultures, belief systems, and worldviews is essential for nurses to be effective in a people-centered profession. Afterall, nursing is a delicate balance between the art and science of medicine. Nurses who understand more about people and their varying lifestyles can be more effective in helping people through illness toward wellness. Research proves that nursing students and nurses who travel internationally increase in self-confidence and cultural competence skills, so why not take the opportunity to up your professional game by becoming a nurse volunteer abroad?
Volunteer nurse in Colombia taking a child’s vitals
There are many nursing skills that are gained through international travel that can improve a nurse’s knowledge, communication, and confidence. Nurses can become culturally aware, sensitive, and competent though experiencing another culture in an unfamiliar environment. Although nurses who work in diverse communities in their home city will inherently be exposed to and learn about other cultures, those who travel internationally will gain first hand knowledge about other people in their own native settings.
Philanthropy combined with international travel, such as through volunteering in nursing abroad, only exemplifies the professional and personal benefits of international experience for nurses. Here are just four of the many benefits that volunteering abroad in nursing can provide any future nurse with:
Improved Cultural Awareness
When there is a lack of culturally competent care from a health care provider, poor patient outcomes may occur. Language, food preferences, and cultural beliefs that impact healthcare practices as well as physical variations among ethnic groups, which may alter pharmacological effects, all impact the health status of individual patients.
Without the knowledge and understanding of cultural influences, nurses may miss important cues into human health and behavior.
Hundreds of anecdotal stories exist revealing how nurses have missed important information because they were not aware of cultural preferences and the quality of care suffered. International experience can help nurses broaden their cultural experiences and knowledge, to decrease the chance of such mishaps occurring. For example, many nurses that travel internationally, to countries that do not speak English as a first language, gain a new appreciation for the confusion felt by non-English speaking patients in their own country. Through shared experiences, nurses become better able to relate to their patients.
There are many more specific examples of cultural influence affecting the quality of healthcare provided by nurses. For example, a nurse may stop patient education after misjudging a native American patient as disinterested because the patient looks down diverting her eyes, which is actually demonstrating respect in the native culture, as opposed to disinterest. A nurse may mistakenly judge bright red circles on a Chinese child’s back as physical abuse, when it is actually temporary marks left from the common Chinese home remedy of cupping, which encourages healing energy flow in traditional Chinese medicine. Lastly, a nurse who is not culturally aware may make the error of giving a native Hispanic patient diet instructions that don’t include tortillas and beans, which may result in poor adherence as the patient feels the diet plan is irrelevant to their cultural traditions and food preferences.
Culture matters, and knowing about different cultures matters, especially in the field of nursing.
Increased Cultural Sensitivity
If a nurse is untrained in assessing, evaluating, and adjusting care plans to meet needs of diverse cultures, nursing care and treatment may be compromised. Many nurses state they feel inadequate and uncomfortable in providing culturally appropriate and sensitive care to clients of an ethnicity different from their own, which may compound the problem of disparate care for minorities. Research has also found that graduating nursing students often do not feel prepared to work in a multicultural society.
Cultural competence training has been proposed as a major solution to this issue. However, one other strategy is to promote international travel for nurses and nursing students, which can be particularly impactful in the form of medical volunteer service in developing countries. In fact, many reviews of of cultural competence training interventions for health care providers concluded that international travel makes positive improvements in nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and skills.
More specialized cultural competence programs, that focus on the skills and strategies necessary for addressing language barriers or cultural norms in a clinical setting, can produce even greater positive attitudinal changes among nursing students. Volunteering abroad for nurses, or international travel of any kind for that matter, can be seen as one of the most unique forms of cultural competence training.
International volunteer experiences promote cultural self-awareness, sensitivity, flexibility, and develop the ability to avoid stereotyping among nursing students.
Volunteer nurse in Colombia with an elderly patient
Exposure to Regional Diseases & Health Conditions
Traveling internationally allows nurses and nursing students to see physical living conditions and diseases not usually encountered in their home setting. Through becoming a nurse volunteer abroad in South America, for example, students can see and treat Chikungunya, a disease carried by mosquitos nesting in standing water, as it is extremely common in impoverished communities after the tropical, rainy season. Other physical diseases unseen in the United States, that nurses may be able to work directly with as a nurse volunteer abroad, include polio, Dengue fever, osteomalacia, Raynaud’s syndrome, and many other rare conditions.
As a nurse volunteer abroad, nurses and nursing students can not only learn about unique or regional diseases, they will also be able to learn more about the natural plant remedies used by natives in the area. Gaining knowledge of both diseases and their treatments abroad, will again increase cultural understanding among nurses.
Deeper Understanding of the Interaction Between Environment & Health
Through many opportunities to volunteer abroad in nursing, students can make personal home visits, where they may get the chance to assess the sanitation of outhouses, rain barrels commonly used for drinking water, and safety of wood burning stoves, which they would never see in the United States. Being able to make the visual connection between the use of a smoky wood burning stove in a one room home and the resultant chest congestion, dry cough, and red eyes seen in the clinic is especially powerful.
Nurses who travel internationally, and especially those who volunteer abroad in nursing, can learn more about the human condition and power of environmental factors that influence health, disease, and wellness. Even traveling and volunteering abroad in more developed countries, such as in Western Europe, can help nurses understand risk factors for disease caused by lifestyle choices too.
The End Result: More Effective Nurses
Beyond the life of souvenirs and fading photos, international volunteer experience will enhance nurses’ professional skills, communication strategies, and cultural insights, allowing them to become more effective with the patients they serve no matter where they choose to practice. And this is why international travel is essential for nurses. The real danger in traveling internationally, is wanting to stay forever.
This article was contributed by International Service Learning (ISL), a non-governmental organization that has been offering volunteers practical experience through medical, education, and community enrichment programs for over 20 years. ISL offers short-term opportunities throughout the year; no experience or certifications needed unless specifically stated.
About Best Country to Study Nursing Abroad
If you are thinking of pursuing a career in nursing and you are open to studying abroad, you have many options. In fact, there are a number of reasons to choose an international nursing degree, including high standards of nursing education, generous funding and support for nursing students, an innovative approach to teaching and practicing nursing, well-recognized nursing credentials, high salary potential for nursing graduates, and a shortage of nursing professionals within that country.
Here’s a closer look at five destinations to consider when it comes to nursing studies.
- The United Kingdom
Nursing degrees are the UK’s most employable type of degree, according to Health Education England’s Health Careers website. A whopping 94 percent of nursing students land a job within six months of completing their coursework. The UK is also home to many excellent nursing programs.
This demand equates to opportunities: participation in the Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) enables international students to register as nurses in the UK. The ONP can be completed as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, and qualifies students to work for either for the NHS or the private sector. And if you are looking for financial support, NHS bursaries are available for which international students may also be able to qualify, depending on the circumstance.
One more reason to pursue nursing studies in the UK as a path to working there? NHS nurses from overseas enjoy many benefits, including high salaries, manageable work hours, and guaranteed long-term contracts.
- The USA
As with many other countries, the USA is facing a deficit of nursing professionals. As a result, international nurses have unprecedented opportunities there for school and work.
Prospective international students interested in nursing careers have many options in the US at various degree levels. After receiving nursing degrees in the US, graduates can either return home or stay and work as long as certain requirements are met, including being granted a Visa Screen Certificate.
One example? South Korean national Misal Kwon, who received her bachelor of science in nursing and now works as a licensed registered nurse in New York. “I witnessed firsthand the importance of evidence-based nursing, nursing research as an undergrad teaching assistant, quality improvement and interprofessional collaboration in our complex health care system,” she told US News & World Report.
As a nurse in the US, Kwon enjoys many benefits, including job security, flexible work schedule, and the opportunity for lifelong learning.
Another reason the US is a great place to study nursing? Many colleges and universities offer scholarship support for international nursing students.
- Australia
Australia is a top international study destination, and with good reason: top universities, a strong education infrastructure, a high standard of living, and a diverse population are a few of the reasons that add up to a world-class education in Australia. Factor in sophisticated hospitals, medical equipment and technology, and Australia’s allure is strong for international students planning to study nursing.
High demand for nurses adds up to plenty of work opportunities for international students, as well. The Institute of Health and Nursing America (IHNA) asserts, “Registered Nurses may be the most sought-after healthcare position not only in Australia but also worldwide, as the demand for skilled and experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) far outweighs the supply. This increasing demand for Registered Nurses (RNs) is fuelled by multiple factors – among them is a sharp increase in the numbers of the aging population and a far greater need for chronic care and acute care management. If you are interested in a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Australia, then this is certainly the best time to step into this field.”
Students from abroad are so welcome in Australia, in fact, that the government offers more than $200 million in international scholarships every year. Meanwhile, the perks of working as a nurse in Australia include a working visa with terms allowing the migration of your entire family and entitlement to all of the benefits of Australian workers, according to Nursing Careers Australia.
- Norway
Norway’s premier higher education system and universities are held in high esteem around the world. Not only are its nursing degrees an embodiment of Norway’s excellence, but many nursing programs are designed for international students studying abroad and are therefore taught in English. While Norway is generally friendly to foreigners, nurses looking to study and work in Norway are especially welcome given a lack of qualified nurses mandating a need for foreign talent.
One especially compelling reason to study nursing in Norway? Tuition-free universities — even for international students.
- Russia
According to Study in Russia, the website of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, “Nursing education in Russia allows foreign applicants to get higher education and to enter the labor market being an in-demand professional with a wide range of competencies.” With degrees offered at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, you are sure to find a program that meets your needs and goals.
In addition to gaining theoretical and practical knowledge and experience, nursing students in Russia also walk away with invaluable cross-cultural skills, which will continue to come in handy wherever they end up practicing.
One last thing to keep in mind? While not falling under the heading of a “country,” no discussion of nursing studies is complete without mention of online degrees, which have changed the face of nursing education by breaking down the barriers of geography.
Of the benefits of online nursing education, Minority Nurse says, “Online learning offers students who are trying to balance a family, career, and other commitments the opportunity to earn a degree without sacrificing their other interests and obligations. An online nursing program may also offer a wider variety of degrees than a local university — if a local university is even an option. Especially in rural areas, the distance and time to travel to a brick-and-mortar institution may make this option impractical.”
Of course, not all online programs and degrees are created equal. “Above all, prospective nursing students need to be diligent and research the institution. Talk to an enrollment advisor about the program and the various resources available. Also, reach out to faculty members and current students, as well as alumni who have gone through the program. Ask them questions about their experience, course content, and how the degree has helped them succeed,” adds Minority Nurse.
Today’s aspiring nurses have more options than ever before when it comes to choosing where to study. And while there is no denying that global healthcare faces many challenges, pursuing a nursing degree is a wonderful way to be part of the solution.
