Assessment of Intercultural Sensitivity Among Nursing Students

Background: When nurses fail to understand the cultural characteristics of the individuals in their care, communication breakdowns, prejudice, and intercultural conflicts may occur.

Aim: This study assesses the intercultural sensitivity levels of undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 1,106 nursing students enrolled at two universities in Ankara between December 15, 2023 and May 31, 2024. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys. The data collection tools included a questionnaire developed based on the relevant literature and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS). Descriptive statistics, including percentages, frequencies, medians, and minimum and maximum values, were used to analyze the data.

Results: Among the participants, 86.1% were female and 80.2% were between 18 and 21 years of age. The median ISS score was 87.0 (min: 28, max: 120). Statistically significant differences were found between groups based on sociodemographic variables, including year of study, gender, proficiency in a language other than Turkish, interaction with individuals from different cultures, having friends from diverse cultural backgrounds, caring for patients from various cultures in clinical practice, receiving relevant education, and learning about cultural characteristics during treatment and care.

Conclusion: Nursing education should incorporate strategies that promote the development of intercultural sensitivity. Such efforts will better prepare nurses to provide high-quality care to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Keywords: Culture, intercultural nursing, intercultural sensitivity, nursing students