A Responsive Evaluation of an Aboriginal Nursing Education Access Program

Abstract

Nursing education access programs have been introduced in a number of countries to address the shortage of healthcare providers of Aboriginal descent. An evaluation study of a nursing education access program in Labrador, Canada, was undertaken using a Responsive Evaluation approach. Interviews and focus groups with program stakeholders were conducted. Program effectiveness was influenced by culturally relevant curriculum, experiential and authentic learning opportunities, academic and social support, and the need for partnership building between stakeholders. The authors report key findings resulting from the Responsive Evaluation.

Culturally diverse health care students' experiences with teaching strategies in Finland: A national survey

“…In addition, several other scholars, including Jalili-Grenier and Chase (1997), Malu and Figlear (2001) and Dhaliwal (2009), found that facilitating the use of all senses, visualization in particular, proved successful. As Meehan-Andrews (2009) and Curran et al (2008) recently confirmed, educators are well aware of health care students' preference for practical, hands-on methods of learning.…”

“…A number of scholars have shown that students' experiences of interaction and atmosphere within the learning community proved significant for learning among culturally diverse health care students (Gardner, 2005;Chapman and Pyvis, 2006;Curran et al, 2008;Sanner and Wilson, 2008). They concluded it was important to get to know students and to foster an atmosphere that appreciates diversity.…”

“…On the one hand, some researchers have suggested that it is important and rewarding for students to share their experiences and opinions and to ask questions during lessons (Pitkajarvi et al, 2011). On the other hand, the literature (Sanner et al, 2002;Curran et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2008) indicates that asking questions or challenging the teacher is inappropriate in certain cultures. These studies also reveal that critical thinking is difficult for students accustomed to learning through memorisation.…”

Discerning Success of Indigenous Health Students in Community-based Programs

“…Other researchers also indicated that instructional approaches must be adapted to Indigenous learners' knowledge base, and that students' contexts must be understood by instructors when teaching in order to promote learning (Curran et al, 2008;Pijl-Zieber & Hagen, 2011;Wilson et al, 2011). In an evaluation study about an Aboriginal nursing education access program in Labrador, Curran et al (2008) found that instructional methods such as storytelling, reflective exercises, and experiential activities promoted learning among Aboriginal students.…”

“…In an evaluation study about an Aboriginal nursing education access program in Labrador, Curran et al (2008) found that instructional methods such as storytelling, reflective exercises, and experiential activities promoted learning among Aboriginal students.…”