Nursing student and faculty perceptions of reciprocity during international clinical learning experiences: A qualitative descriptive study

Background: Exposure of nursing students to global health care systems and cultures that are vastly different from which they are accustomed allow them to gain a unique perspective of our global village. A plethora of research has studied the lived experiences of visiting students during international clinical placements. Many studies have noted a multitude of benefits for visiting students. However, very little research examined the perspectives of host participants. Objectives: This study explores both visiting and host students and faculty's perceptions of reciprocity during international learning experiences. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was utilised. Setting Intercultural collaboration between visiting and host participants occurred over a two week clinical learning experience in a regional hospital in Jamaica. Participants: Ten third year undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing students and two faculty from Canada engaged in clinical learning experiences with twelve fourth year host nursing students and three faculty from Jamaica. Method: Visiting students submitted reflective papers, participated in interviews, and a focus group two months later. Two separate focus groups were held to gather data from the hosting students and faculty. All data was analysed using thematic analysis for recurring themes. Results: The findings of this study show that both host and visiting students and faculty mutually gain benefits from intercultural exchange and collaboration. Reciprocity was noted in experiential knowledge acquisition, cultural awareness from educational and professional perspectives, and personal and professional transformative learning. Although notable differences from contrasting health care worlds were identified, the recognition of similarities and opportunities for transformative learning greatly outweighed the differences. Conclusion: There are reciprocal benefits to be gained in nursing education for visiting and host participants through the development of collaborative international partnerships. More research is required to further explore mutuality for students and faculty from different countries.