Abstract
Purpose: This paper explores clinical communication interventions for undergraduate nursing students with English as a second language (ESL) within a multicampus program at the University of Western Sydney. Students are expected to communicate effectively with patients, nurses, and other health care professionals. Limited oral communication skills in English can cause anxiety for ESL nursing students and this can negatively impact on learning in a clinical setting. In addition, students may experience difficulties in using nursing terminology and appropriate expressions for interactions in this setting. The development of communication skills that are adequate for clinical practice can take intensive instruction and practice over time for a non-native speaker of English.
Methods: To address these needs the School of Nursing and Midwifery designed tailored clinical communication workshops that focus on developing speaking skills for the clinical setting. The workshops are comprised of a series of interactive sessions including the use of nursing terminology, interviewing, telephone, report writing and handover skills. The students participate in discussions of scenarios and engage in role-play that integrates conflict resolution, problem solving, nursing and clinical language enabling each student to practice the use of spoken and written English in preparation for practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
Results: These clinically focused workshops assist in preparing students for clinical placements and also provide additional remedial support for students who have experienced language difficulties during their practicum. Students self-refer or are referred by the clinical education unit. The current program has been evaluated using a triangulated approach from quantitative and qualitative summative surveys as well as information from clinical placement summaries.
Conclusion: The findings of this project reveal that there are substantial benefits for ESL nursing students who participate in this form of clinical language intervention program resulting in improved confidence and competence in communication for practice.
Sigma Membership
Xi Omicron at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Clinical, Students, Communication
Recommended Citation
Glew, Paul J.; Stewart, Lyn E.; Beale, Barbara L.; and Hillege, Sharon Patricia, "Working collaboratively to facilitate the acquisition of culturally relevant and competent communication skills in ESL nursing students for clinical practice" (2012). INRC (Congress). 86.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2012/presentations_2012/86
Conference Name
23rd International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Brisbane, Australia
Conference Year
2012
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Working collaboratively to facilitate the acquisition of culturally relevant and competent communication skills in ESL nursing students for clinical practice
Brisbane, Australia
Purpose: This paper explores clinical communication interventions for undergraduate nursing students with English as a second language (ESL) within a multicampus program at the University of Western Sydney. Students are expected to communicate effectively with patients, nurses, and other health care professionals. Limited oral communication skills in English can cause anxiety for ESL nursing students and this can negatively impact on learning in a clinical setting. In addition, students may experience difficulties in using nursing terminology and appropriate expressions for interactions in this setting. The development of communication skills that are adequate for clinical practice can take intensive instruction and practice over time for a non-native speaker of English.
Methods: To address these needs the School of Nursing and Midwifery designed tailored clinical communication workshops that focus on developing speaking skills for the clinical setting. The workshops are comprised of a series of interactive sessions including the use of nursing terminology, interviewing, telephone, report writing and handover skills. The students participate in discussions of scenarios and engage in role-play that integrates conflict resolution, problem solving, nursing and clinical language enabling each student to practice the use of spoken and written English in preparation for practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
Results: These clinically focused workshops assist in preparing students for clinical placements and also provide additional remedial support for students who have experienced language difficulties during their practicum. Students self-refer or are referred by the clinical education unit. The current program has been evaluated using a triangulated approach from quantitative and qualitative summative surveys as well as information from clinical placement summaries.
Conclusion: The findings of this project reveal that there are substantial benefits for ESL nursing students who participate in this form of clinical language intervention program resulting in improved confidence and competence in communication for practice.