Date of Award

Fall 2020

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Michong Rayborn

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Stephanie Parks

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

The landscape of ethnicity is growing increasingly diverse. In 2017, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that by the time the 2020 Census is conducted, over half of the nation’s children will be of a minority group (U.S. Census Bureau, 2017). With this evolution in cultural variety comes a necessity to incorporate exposure and training of cultural competency into professional health programs. Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) are a key demographic to professional growth within the realms of cultural competence as related to the field of nurse anesthesia. Along with clinical skills and advanced knowledge, cultural competence should be equally developed. The synthesis of evidence reveals a lack of formal cultural awareness training.

This doctoral project developed an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to assist in closing the gap in cultural competence education. An OSCE benefits learners by being both reliable and objective. Students receive feedback from the evaluator and are able to evaluate their performance. The provision of an immediate response provides an opportunity to repeat and observe potential growth within the given area.

The doctoral project investigators developed two OSCE simulation scenarios. Four volunteer SRNAs assisted with the trial of each scenario. The first scenario utilized two of the volunteers within a language barrier scenario. The next scenario incorporated the remaining two volunteers into a literacy barrier scenario. The volunteers completed post-OSCE evaluations rating the OSCE and the overall experience. An expert panel was formed from four nurse anesthesia faculty members plus one other nursing faculty member. The panel members viewed the recorded simulations, completed evaluations, and provided constructive feedback.

A Likert-scale survey was administered to each expert panel member as well as all SRNAs involved in scenario trials. Based on volunteer Likert-scale evaluations, the experience-rated an average of 29.75 out of 30 total points. The expert panel rated each scenario separately. The language barrier scenario received an average of 29.5 out of 30 points; the literacy barrier scenario also received an average of 29.5 out of 30 points. Overall, the reactions from all volunteers and expert panel members were positive and indicated a necessity for such a learning tool within the Nurse Anesthesia Program.

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