Long-term impact of an international online collaboration - The perspective of nursing students

This article reports on a research project examining nurse students’ perceived long-term effects of participation in an online collaboration called Globally Networked Learning (GNL) between Canadian and Danish students. The aim of GNL was students achieving understanding of cultural similarities and differences in nursing and healthcare between Canada and Denmark. A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach to the study was found to be useful in creating knowledge about the long-term effect of participation in GNL. Eight Danish students participated in the follow-up project. Data were generated through narrative interviews and interpreted inspired by Paul Ricoeurs interpretation theory. Analyse and interpretation led to the themes: Significance to the encounter with the individual, and significance in nurse training. The latter theme included the sub-themes better English skills and desire to travel. The conclusion was that the GNL had a long-term significance to the nurse training of the Danish students and to their nursing practice. The study is relevant to clinical decision making and clinical leadership in practice due to the increasing diversity among patients and citizens.