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Description
The project reflects the long-term cooperation between the partners within the nursing education and Erasmus + programme. It is focused on enhancing the professional and intercultural competencies of the clinical mentors and thus increasing the quality of clinical education.
The objectives of the project:
- Develop knowledge on the international mentors` and students` needs, possible barriers to quality learning and teaching in clinical environment and in the context of intercultural differences. Define the specific competencies of mentoring international students in clinical placements.
- Develop and test a mentors`- tailored MOOC to enhance the international mentors` capacity for facilitation, supervision and assessment of nursing students.
The results/outputs:
- Mentor – centred MOOC which will be the base on which future joint study programmes and new curriculum can be developed.
- Teaching staff and clinical professionals` research network
- Scientific paper on the needs of the international mentors and students and the specific competencies of the mentors to enhance clinical based learning within international context.
The results should have impact on the students` and mentors` satisfaction with the process of clinical education. The students` and mentors’ encounters with the intercultural diversities will make them more sensitive to their own educational needs, needs of the patients, healthcare colleagues and wider community.
Summary of project results
The project was meant to address the challenges of internationalisation of health care education programmes, where clinical training plays a comprehensive part. Many students undertake at least two months of their practical placements abroad. Due to the special challenges facing health care students in international practice modules, it is crucial that they are mentored by professional experts who possess knowledge about special intercultural personal and professional background and needs of the students.
The aim of the project was to enhance the quality of international education for healthcare students and to develop and strengthen the cooperation and partnership between Czech and Norwegian universities, as well as mentors in healthcare institutions.
The activities of the project were focused on learning the mentors` and students’ educational needs through literature search and focus groups with students who had had international practice experience, and with nurses who have had experience with mentoring international students. The sessions were very important as they provided data for considering the content of the MOOC. Peer learning activities allowed the nurse mentors from participating organizations to travel and learn about the process of nursing education in Norway and Czech Republic
The main outcome of the project is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) Mentors without borders. The course was tested by clinical mentors from Czech Republic and Norway with positive feedback. The mentors appreciated the structure of the course, short educational videos, shared experience of mentors and students as well as the opportunity to share their own experience through the course. The MOOC will be included in the curricula of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine and offered to clinical professionals and educators of health care professions through MOODLE of Charles University. The project addresses the topic of inclusive education, equal treatment and respect for human rights. By enhancing intercultural skills and sensitivity of the international mentors, the international healthcare students will have improved chances of meeting the requirements of their clinical placements as well as their specific intercultural needs.
Summary of bilateral results
Since the aim of the project was to enhance the competences and intercultural skills of clinical mentors of international healthcare students, it was important to have a donor project partner with equivalent teaching experience and needs related to improving clinical teaching of international students, enhancing involvement of healthcare institutions, and increasing the mentors’ professional satisfaction.The collaboration will continue; the teachers of the promoter and donor partner will share the responsibility in online tutoring and support of the students who take the MOOC. Secondly the Erasmus+ programme will continue on baccalaureate and master’s degree level.