Differences in universal diverse orientation among nursing students in Australia

Nurs Outlook. 2007 Nov-Dec;55(6):296-302. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2007.07.005.

Abstract

With globalization and intensified migration, an attitude of awareness and acceptance of both similarities and differences among people-known as universal-diverse orientation (UDO)-is a positive benefit that students may bring to a nursing program. Using a cross-sectional survey design, this study measured students' UDO using the Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity Scale-Short Form (M-GUDS-S). Among 816 nursing students, those born in a non-English-speaking country had higher M-GUDS-S scores (P < 0.001), and those who spoke both English and non-English at home had consistently higher scores in all three M-GUDS-S subscales. However, those who never spoke English at home had low scores in the "Comfort with Differences" subscale if they had lived in Australia for only a few years. Nursing students from a non-English-speaking background could potentially enrich cross-cultural educational experiences for all students, but students who have recently settled in Australia may need support to feel a sense of connectedness.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attitude of Health Personnel / ethnology*
  • Australia
  • Awareness
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cultural Diversity*
  • Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / education
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multilingualism*
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Prejudice
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Students, Nursing* / psychology
  • Students, Nursing* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires