Transforming personally and professionally through global cultural experience: A grounded theory study

Background: Participation in international educational programs during nurses’ and midwives’ preregistration education provides an opportunity to experience healthcare in different cultures. Short-term outcomes of participation have been reported; however, little has been published regarding long-term outcomes and theoretical processes for nurses and midwives who participate in such programs. Purpose: To provide in-depth understandings through a theoretical model of long-term outcomes and impacts for nurses and midwives who participate in international educational programs during their preregistration education. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory methodology was employed in this study. Thirteen general nurses, two mental health nurses, three midwives, and four dual-qualified nurse/midwives from eight different countries were interviewed. Conclusion: The substantive theory, “Transforming personally and professionally through global cultural experience,” presents an explanation of processes and long-term impacts for those who participated in international programs during their preregistration education.