Nursing during Global Health Experiences

Nursing, as a human caring science, holds the social responsibility of addressing issues that affect the health of the people it serves on a local, national and international level. Nurses and nursing students may care for people in various international settings including community outreach, health promotion and education, and acute care hospital placements. This chapter addresses key issues that affect nursing practice during international placements including specific considerations for students and nurses, ethical distress, interprofessional collaboration and communication, as well as healing within different cultures. A review of the literature suggests various issues to consider in general for anyone involved in planning ethical and sustainable global health experiences. The planning and organization phase of international placements must consider and explore sustainability, ethical issues, community development and capacity building following fundamental global health responsibilities based on the principles of social justice and human rights.