Transforming Students' Educational Experience Through Cultural Mindedness, Peer Mentoring, and Student Input

J Nurs Educ. 2020 Apr 1;59(4):194-202. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20200323-04.

Abstract

Background: Increasing student diversity within schools of nursing requires a shift in the educational environment to consider student challenges, need for support, and other cultural variances.

Method: This article describes a three-pronged process of instilling cultural mindfulness training to faculty, staff, and administrators, augmenting student support through peer mentoring and a new method of sharing student perspectives of the educational environment with administration to co-design new approaches to support students.

Results: The entire process resulted in an increased sensitization to the importance of student perspectives as key players in the pursuit of a culture of inclusion for nursing education.

Conclusion: A sustainable model was created for ongoing cultural humility education of school of nursing personnel and a new structure for student peer mentoring and student input to ensure appropriate support, recognition, and respect for diversity. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(4):194-202.].

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence / standards
  • Cultural Competency / education*
  • Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mentoring / methods*
  • Peer Group*
  • Students, Nursing / statistics & numerical data*