What are the particular challenges encountered by nurse students that are immigrated from other coun

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Challenges Faced by Immigrant Nursing Students

Cultural and Gender-Specific Challenges

Immigrant nursing students often face unique cultural and gender-specific challenges that can impact their academic performance and well-being. These challenges include navigating different cultural roles, norms, and expectations for men and women. For instance, female students may experience discrimination due to wearing a hijab, while male students might face biases as nursing is often perceived as a feminine profession . Additionally, the lack of recognition for students who identify as other genders further complicates their experiences .

Communication Barriers

Communication difficulties are a significant obstacle for immigrant nursing students. These students often struggle with language barriers, which can lead to misunderstandings and insufficient information exchange with patients. This issue is particularly pronounced in cross-cultural care encounters, where students may lack the skills and confidence to effectively communicate with patients from different cultural backgrounds . Strategies such as using nonverbal communication, gestures, and involving relatives as interpreters are commonly employed to overcome these barriers.

Emotional and Psychological Strain

The emotional and psychological strain of adapting to a new cultural environment can be overwhelming for immigrant nursing students. They often experience feelings of cultural displacement and isolation, which can hinder their ability to integrate into the academic and clinical settings. This emotional burden is compounded by experiences of racism and discrimination, which can further demoralize these students . The inability to control emotions and barriers to care involvement are common themes reported by students working in migrant health centers.

Academic and Professional Challenges

Immigrant nursing students also face academic and professional challenges, such as difficulties with credentialing and skill underutilization. The process of obtaining necessary credentials can be cumbersome, and many students find that their skills are not fully recognized or utilized in their host countries. This "deskilling" process can lead to frustration and a sense of professional stagnation . Additionally, the lack of targeted support from educational institutions to address these challenges exacerbates the situation.

Coping Strategies and Supportive Interventions

To cope with these challenges, immigrant nursing students often rely on support from family and peers. Female students, in particular, may seek support from other student mothers or family members to navigate their academic and personal lives . However, supportive interventions that consider gender and cultural contexts are limited. Some effective strategies include matching students with support services personnel by sex, involving male family members in admission and orientation processes, and using patient simulation to prepare students for cross-cultural care .

Need for Cultural Competence Training

There is a pressing need for nursing programs to integrate cultural competence training into their curricula. This training should address the specific needs of immigrant students and equip them with the skills to provide culturally safe healthcare. Students have expressed the importance of learning cultural competence through both academic and practical experiences, highlighting the need for comprehensive and inclusive educational strategies . Additionally, addressing negative attitudes towards immigrants through intercultural training can help reduce prejudices and improve the quality of care provided by future healthcare professionals .

Conclusion

Immigrant nursing students face a myriad of challenges that span cultural, emotional, academic, and professional domains. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes targeted support, cultural competence training, and interventions that consider the unique experiences of these students. By doing so, educational institutions can help immigrant nursing students succeed and contribute effectively to the healthcare workforce.