The Influence of Global Citizenship, Multicultural Acceptance, and Self-Leadership on Global Health Nursing Competency among Cadets at the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the levels of global citizenship, multicultural acceptance, self-leadership, and global health nursing competency among cadets at the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy (KAFNA), and to identify key factors influencing global health nursing competency. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was employed. A convenience sample of 196 KAFNA cadets completed self-report questionnaires measuring global citizenship, multicultural acceptance, self-leadership, and global health nursing competency. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Lower-year cadets exhibited higher multicultural acceptance than upper-year cadets (t=3.00, p=.003), whereas upper-year cadets demonstrated greater global health nursing competency (t=-5.80, p<.001). Global health nursing competency demonstrated significant positive correlations with global citizenship (r=.348, p<.001) and self-leadership (r=.20, p=.005). Multiple regression analysis identified global citizenship (β=.471, p<.001) and year level (β=.412, p<.001) as significant predictors of global health nursing competency, explaining 30.2% of its variance. Conclusion: Global citizenship and year level are pivotal in shaping KAFNA cadets’ global health nursing competency. To strengthen cadets’ preparedness for international nursing roles, nursing education should integrate targeted global citizenship development and grade-tailored competency-building experiences.