Factors Influencing the Development of Cultural Competence in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background: The study purposes were to assess the cultural competence level and to identify factors that influence the development of cultural competence in undergraduate nursing students. Method: This quantitative study using a comparative and predictive design was conducted to recruit 106 undergraduate nursing students from a university by sending e-mails to all randomly selected Associate in Science in Nursing and RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing students for participation. Each student participated voluntarily to self-administer a demographic survey and the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence among Healthcare Professionals-Student Version (IAPCC-SV (c)). Results: The summated score of 20 questions of the IAPCC-SV among the participating students was 61.70, indicating a culturally competent level. Approximately 51% of the variation in the cultural competence level could be attributed to the predictor of cultural encounters. The second strongest predictor was the cultural knowledge. Conclusion: Further research should focus on identifying cost-effective teaching and learning strategies using the concept of cultural encounters and cultural knowledge to increase students' exposures to individuals from other cultures.