Simulated cultural competence: Innovative teaching strategies from a rural Australian university

Aims: provide undergraduate nursing students with culturally challenging experiences within a safe and non-threatening environment promote culturally competent nursing practice to undergraduate nursing students promote reflection on culturally challenging issues Background: Due the increasingly multicultural nature of Australian society and an increasing awareness of the centrality of culture to the provision of effective health care (Daly & Jackson 2003), nursing today provides a culturally challenging prospect for many undergraduate nursing students. Integration of simulated scenarios using a range of culturally challenging situations can provide an exciting, interactive and engaging method of allowing students to practice clinical and culturally appropriate skills. The purpose of this presentation is to showcase a rural university's innovative delivery of cultural competence and clinical based content through simulation to ensure the application of culturally competent care to nursing practice. Methods: A collaborative teaching team decision was made to use a problem based learning approach. The overall aim of the project was to develop and apply the knowledge and skills of the first year student nurse. A case study approach with elements addressing cultural competence while practising basic clinical skills was simulated in the clinical laboratory teaching at a rural university. The case studies addressed confronting cultural issues, this allowed the students to explore and reflect on their own values and beliefs in a simulated clinical setting. Specific cultural issues explored during simulations included race, religion, socio-economic and sexuality issues.