Exploring the association between combined formal and informal educational approaches and cultural intelligence among undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Global migration necessitates adeptness in intercultural situations and high cultural awareness, crucial for nurses. Ensuring safe healthcare for migrants in diverse settings is imperative. Cultivating cultural intelligence should start at the undergraduate level, facilitated by diverse educational approaches.

Aim: The aim was to analyse the correlation between participation in formal and informal education and the level of cultural intelligence in a group of undergraduate nursing students.

Design: Researchers conducted a nationwide cross-sectional multicentre online survey study.

Settings: We invited nursing students from all Polish medical universities offering undergraduate nursing studies to participate in the study.

Participants: The study sample consisted of 1373 undergraduate nursing students from 39 Polish nursing schools: 54.0 % - first year, 28.7 % - second year, 17.3 % - third year.

Methods: We used a Polish version of the Cultural Intelligence Scale. The questionnaire gathered demographic information and explored cultural experiences in both formal and informal education settings. We examined the influence of various forms of formal and informal education on the level of cultural intelligence using independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA. We measured effect sizes using Cohen's d for t-tests and eta squared (η²) for ANOVA. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The level of cultural intelligence of the students was a STEN score of five (M = 82.8 points). The largest effect related to the increase in cultural intelligence was observed for the survey item on interactions with culturally diverse people (Cohen's d = -0.62), and the smallest effect was observed for the survey item on multiculturalism-related content delivered during the course of study (η2 = 0.012). The analyses showed a significant correlation between formal education and cultural intelligence, especially for the combination of formal and informal education.

Conclusion: The combination of formal and informal education and rich intercultural experiences are crucial for the successful development of cultural intelligence among nursing students in Poland.

Keywords: Cultural intelligence; Formal education; Informal education; Nursing students.