Just-in-Time Education for Nursing Students: Accessing and Utilizing Interpretation Services

Background: For patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), professional interpretation services can help mitigate health disparities and improve quality of care. However, not all nurses and nursing students are trained in how to access and utilize an interpreter. Objective: The purpose of this project was to create and pilot a just-in-time education on how to correctly access and utilize interpretation services for undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A just-in-time educational video and resource card was created highlighting proper procedures for requesting and utilizing an interpreter. A retrospective pretest-posttest survey was used to measure 16 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students’ knowledge and confidence in using interpretation services. Results: Post-presentation knowledge and confidence scores were significantly higher than pre-presentation scores (p<0.001). Implications: The just-in-time education and resources can be used to educate undergraduate nursing students on how to advocate for the use of interpreters in working with patients with limited English proficiency. Keywords: just-in-time education, interpretation services, nursing students, quality improvement