A good beginning: The long-term effects of a clinical communication programme
Caroline San Miguel
Senior Lecturer, ELSSA Centre, University of Technology, Sydney NSW
Frances Rogan
Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Sydney NSW
PP: 179 - 190
Abstract
Nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds play a valuable role in meeting the health care needs of multi-ethnic and multi-lingual societies. However, such students may not succeed during clinical placements due to difficulties with spoken communication.
This paper presents the long-term effects of a language programme that aimed to improve students' spoken communication on clinical placements. Final year students who had completed the programme in the first year of their undergraduate degree were interviewed about their experiences of clinical placements and their perceptions of any long-term effects of the programme.
The results suggest that early intervention language programmes may contribute to greater confidence and success for students. However, ongoing language programmes and institutional changes are required to improve students' clinical learning experiences.
Keywords
nursing, clinical placement, cultural and linguistic diversity, communication, nurse education, international students
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