Weaving a transcultural thread

Abstract

This article describes the development and implementation of an educational strategy to enhance knowledge about transcultural nursing in a College of Nursing undergraduate program. Concepts of diversity and transcultural nursing were integrated into the entire undergraduate curriculum. This content was presented over six quarters in seminar courses throughout the undergraduate program. A team of faculty members developed this series of courses called "Nurse and Society" that included cultural diversity, ethics, professionalism, and policy as strands or threads woven through the courses. Based on faculty evaluations at the end of each course, most graduating students were aware of the need to provide culturally congruent care. However, there is a need to develop a sound programmatic evaluation that includes empirical outcomes of cultural competence among graduates.