Bridging the Gap – Chinese Nursing Students and Faculty Development: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Objective: To report the current academic practices of Chinese nursing students. The intent of this narrative review is to provide educators and researchers with a background to the Chinese cultural needs, faculty teaching strategies, and recommendation of future research. Background: Globalization is becoming a driving force in various professions across the world, especially healthcare. Nursing programs in the United Stated are collaborating with other countries such as China to create international exchange programs among nursing students. As American nursing programs transition to educate international students, the students often experience academic challenges. Additionally, faculty struggle with developing skills and teaching techniques to accommodate their academic learning styles. This literature review will critically review current practices that can assist nurse educators in preparing academic strategies and skills in educating Chinese students. Design: A narrative literature review. Method: A comprehensive search of three major databases for literature between the years of 2007 to 2017, assisted in identifying qualitative and quantitative studies that addressed the challenges among Chinese nursing students and strategies faculty can incorporate into their teaching practices that can soften the transition of Chinese nursing students. Results: A total of 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Conclusion: There is some data that highlights the teaching strategies educators find effective while educating Chinese students. However, there is still limited research on the learning experiences of Chinese nursing students and their perception on studying in America. Keywords: International nursing, Chinese nursing students, Faculty Development and International students, International exchange programs, Teaching strategies and International students