First Contact With Transcultural Care: A Phenomenological Study of Practical Turkish Nursing Students’ Experiences in a Migrant Health Center

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the subjective experiences of Turkish students who work in immigrant health facilities providing nursing care to people of different cultures. Nurses are often encountered by immigrants in these centers. Although qualitative research on nurses’ experiences assisting immigrants has been often cited in the literature, the literature on nursing students’ experiences is limited. Methodology: The study has a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected using a face-to-face, in-depth, and semistructured interview form. The data were evaluated using a content analysis method. Results: The study yielded four themes: (a) inability to control emotions, (b) barriers to care involvement, (c) benefits of intercultural care, and (d) recommendations. Discussion: Learning intercultural care is critical in these years of increased immigration. Understanding nursing students’ experiences is essential for improving the quality of intercultural care.