NR 394 Week 8 Discussion, Global Nursing Opportunities

NR 394 Week 8 Discussion, Global Nursing Opportunities Reflect on the Transcultural Nursing Self-Assessment that you completed during Week 2. Not all of us will have the opportunity to participate in an international nursing experience for even a few weeks, let alone as a career. However, if assuming you had the opportunity to practice this type of nursing, consider how you would answer the following questions. Make sure you address all components below: 1. What contributions would you be able to make that would be considered unique? 2. What experiences and wisdom would you bring to the care of your patients? 3. What challenges might there be for you and/or your family for participation in such an opportunity? First, I can’t believe how fast this class went and how much I have learned along the way. It has opened my eyes to many things such as recognizing health disparities and identifying opportunities for improvement. Be able to interact effectively with a patient’s culture and utilizing different tools to assist in giving the best care possible is very rewarding. As far as contributions, I do believe that every nurse contribute something. We all have strong qualities that we bring to the table. I myself am told that I am a very strong communicator. I believe in transparency and the importance of it. Although being in another country may be difficult at first and then one adjusts to the culture. Once I have gained the knowledge and experience it can provide me new ways of critical thinking and problem solving. I would also gain a wealth of different and new cultural experiences along with different nursing practices. Careful assessment of cultural backgrounds and individual factors can help nurses anticipate and work with difficulties that are experienced by refugees and immigrants who seek health care (Andrews & Boyle, 2016, p. 331). Completing research on the culture and area that one may be going will be helpful in providing the proper care and also reduce the challenge one may face when taking on an assignment. One of the biggest challenges lies within the difference in culture, language and the unexpected. I do imagine that it will be challenging to adjust to the new environment not knowing anyone and trying to ensure that I am conducting myself appropriately per the cultural environment I am in. Although I think it is a wonderful opportunity for nurses to travel internationally, I think we cannot overlook the issue we have here in the United States. Contributing to a nursing shortage in the United States are countries throughout the world that are recruiting U.S.-educated nurses (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2018). Although I would love the opportunity to be involved in international nursing, it is worrisome that nurses are being enticed to take on these opportunities when we have shortage ourselves. Here in the U.S, we are looking at the shortage for Registered Nurses to intensify when all the baby boomers retire. The existing nursing deficit in the U.S largely caused by the aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic disease, an aging workforce and limited capacity in nursing education programs might be creeping closer to a crisis (Jimenez, 2016). Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2016). Transcultural concepts in nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: PA. Wolters Kluwer. Chamberlain College of Nursing. (2018) Lesson Week 8 Jimenez, S. February 2016, US Still Headed For Nursing Shortage, Retrieved from: Al