International Nursing Exchange

The International Nursing Exchange Program is dedicated to enriching the education of nursing students.  The experience provides opportunities to practice in diverse health communities as part of a multidisciplinary team and to learn about healthcare disparities around the world.  By showing how cultural values and health are interconnected and an integral part of healthcare delivery, nursing students improve their cultural competencies while providing care to individuals with little to no access to healthcare in underserved communities.

American nursing students have invaluable hands-on experiences in and around Hue, Vietnam, collaborating and sharing clinical expertise and skills with their nursing counterparts at the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Nursing.  Small teams of American and Vietnamese nursing students, supervised by nursing instructors, work together and learn from each other over the course of 1-2 weeks, providing clinical care and healthcare education in hospitals, commune clinics, schools, and homes.

ConnectMed is evaluating the long-term impact this immersive experience has on the participants, particularly on their ability to provide culturally competent healthcare in our diverse communities in the U.S.

If your nursing program is interested in working with us to participate in this program, contact Rita Albert at ralbert@connectmed.org.

“I always thought of myself as a culturally sensitive person who is aware of the vast health and wealth disparities locally and globally, however, this trip really opened my eyes.”

 – Nursing Student & 2016 Exchange Program Participant