The United States is synonymous with cultural diversity. For this reason, learning about other cultures is a great tool for professionals, especially healthcare professionals and in particular nurses. The more you learn from other cultures, the more powerful and effective a nurse you’ll be.
There is a lot you can learn nursing aboard, including medical issues that are truly indigenous to people and how other nations are improving their healthcare systems. According to a 2014 Forbes article, Asia is going through a healthcare renaissance and expects to see healthcare spending increase to $2.21 trillion by 2018. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent over the next five years.
According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2010 Asians make up 5.6 percent of the population. That’s more than 17 million Asian Americans. This is why Asia is a great place to consider working abroad. What you learn can easily be applied to the work you’re doing in this country. Broadened horizons will enhance the lives of your patients, and make the overall healthcare system stronger.
Gaining Perspective by Working Abroad
If you were to work in Japan for 1 year, upon returning to the United States you would be able to better assess a Japanese-American patient from a more cultural perspective. Instead of viewing healthcare as a blended composite homogeneity of our populace, you’d be capable of better communicating and understanding your Asian-American patients. In fact, you may begin to better understand the needs and customs of all.
Healthcare management systems should not be ethnocentric, but rather multicultural and diverse (just like the US population). Nurses who have experience working abroad will add to a patient’s comfort level, especially when that patient learns you’ve worked in her home country. This will delight her, and build trust. The synergistic benefits of working aboard have carry-forward benefits that cannot be overstated.
As Immigration Increases, so Shall Multiculturalism
Immigrants make up approximately 13 percent of the population, which is a larger immigrant population than any other country. The most immigrants come from Latin countries, but large numbers come from Asia as well. Traveling to Asian and Latin countries is going to give you the best opportunity for learning, and be an asset upon returning home because these cultures will make up a large portion of the patients you see every day.
Any opportunity to immerse yourself in another country is an opportunity to get better at what you do. You can find registered nurse jobs abroad by looking at international job boards, such as American Traveler. Being able to quickly and effectively assess the status of a non-English-speaking Asian American, based on what you’ve learned in their home country, goes a long way toward saving lives and building an immigrant’s confidence in our healthcare system.
Immersion is the Fastest Way to Learn a New Language
If you work in a big city, such as New York City and Los Angeles, it’s highly unlikely all of your patients speak English. Some areas feature populations that speak little-to-no English, which can make your job difficult if you don’t speak the language.
Studies have proven time and again that immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn a language, and communicate with native speakers. This can open up all sorts of job benefits, including raises and promotions based on your ability to speak two or more languages.
The United States is country adept at blending cultures, and medical professionals are encouraged to embrace this multiculturalism. Our borders are subject to a human tide that never ceases, and the more nurses know about all the residents of their communities the better.
Written by Jane Brown
