Nursing students learning to care for refugee patients: a qualitative study†

Background Nursing students should gain cultural knowledge and skills necessary for providing care to all types of patients. Aim This study aimed to determine problems faced by nursing students who care for refugee patients. Method The study used phenomenological qualitative design. The sample comprised 25 nursing students who cared for refugee patients in a clinic. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step method following focus group interviews. Results Two themes were identified for the interviews: (i) language barrier: insufficient care and (ii) students' perspectives on being a refugee. Furthermore, three subthemes were also identified by analysis of the interviews: (i) superficial communication and insufficiency in psychological support, (ii) health problems in difficult living conditions and (iii) unchanged basic human needs and unmet care needs. Conclusions Nursing students find it difficult to care for refugee patients, but nursing education programmes based on culture care improve their knowledge and perceptions and the quality of care they provide to patients from different cultures. Implication for nursing and health policy In a multicultural society, nursing students must recognize cultural differences. Consequently, a multicultural education programme helps lay the groundwork for successful integration of nursing students in new cultures.