Publication Date

2018

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Johnson, Laura R.||Roth, Gene L.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Counseling, Adult and Higher Education

LCSH

Nursing; Education; Health education; Community colleges; English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers

Abstract

This qualitative study explored English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Eastern European nursing graduates' socialization to the United States, their development and academic experience as nursing students, and their perspectives as practicing nurses. Through their revealing testimonials, the participants exposed their positive and negative experiences, their challenges and struggles, their beliefs, their cultural heritage, and their strength and determination. The three assertions and eight themes that emerged from the analysis of the interviews produce a more complete understanding of participants' experiences. The participants were influenced in their adaptation by emotional and ambivalent interactions, dissonances experienced day-to-day, and cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Reflecting on their overall experience, the participants shared their insights about how a multicultural approach to nursing care can more successfully address an ethnically diverse patient population and how they are well positioned to provide that type of culturally aware care. The transitional experiences and the transformational journeys of the participants emerged as an essential catalyst to trigger community, and academic changes. In turn, these changes contributed to the confidence, independence, competency, fulfillment, and lasting success for culturally diverse nursing students.

Comments

Advisors: Laura Ruth Johnson; Gene L. Roth.||Committee members: Brian Vivona.||Includes illustrations.||Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

156 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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