Experiential Clinical Learning

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CLINICAL This course contains an Experiential Learning Clinical (ELC). The objective of this project is to complete an in-depth assignment as evidence of learning in addition to normal classroom assignments. This assignment takes the place of the traditional clinical rotation learning experience. Students will conduct an interview and complete a cultural assessment on an individual who differs significantly from the dominant American culture. According to anthropologists, the following list of characteristics describes the dominant American culture and is the description on which the Intercultural Nursing module is based. • White (of European descent) • Protestant • Middle America (geographic) • Middle-class (socioeconomic) • 18-65 yrs of age (includes their children <13 yrs) • Employed • Male Individuals who have one or more characteristics that differ from this description, though part of the culture at large, are members of a subculture. It is immediately obvious that individuals who share all but one of the characteristics (Catholics, for example) do not differ significantly from the dominant culture. Therefore, for the purposes of this class, students will be required to seek out individuals who differ significantly from the dominant American culture. Choosing a culture or subculture: a) Individuals of any nonwhite race may be chosen for this project, regardless of what other characteristics they may share in common with the dominant culture. b) Ethnic Americans. Any ethnic group presented in the text by Giger and Davidhizar, chapters 8-23, may be chosen for the clinical experience. c) First generation, white European immigrants may be chosen for this clinical experience. d) A white European American who does not share more than four of the eight characteristics (50%) of the dominant American culture is considered significantly different. However, individuals in this category must be approved by the faculty before arrangements are made for the clinical contacts. e) Individuals from the following subcultures may be chosen, regardless of other characteristics they may share in common with the “dominant American culture:” • Amish • Prisoners • Migrants • Homeless (living on the streets) One of the goals of this module is for the student to depart from his/her comfort zone. Being specific about the characteristics of the individuals who may be chosen for this clinical experience will obligate them to do so. Faculty approval is recommended for student choice of culture or individual from that culture to interview. It is important that there are a variety of cultures throughout the group, so that a number of cultures are featured. Students who normally work in a cross-cultural setting are required to select a different subculture with whom to work. Similarly, students who are part of a separate culture or sub-culture are also required to select a different culture or sub-culture with whom to work. Students will interview an individual as described in the criteria stated above and write a 10 page paper (minimum) reporting the comprehensive cultural assessment of an individual. The following criteria should be utilized: 1. Use Giger & Davidhizer’s Assessment Model, pp.7 – 12, as the basis for your assessment. 2. Include six cultural phenomena as described by Giger and Davidhizer. 3. Include nursing implications for six cultural phenomena. 4. If you note differences between the individual and his/her culture (from previous learning), you may include information on those differences. That information must be referenced, in APA format. The emphasis should be on your assessment — objective and subjective primary source data. 5. Utilize APA format