College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Transcultural nursing and cultural aspects of care include awareness of individual and cultural variations in health status, human development, values, beliefs, attitudes, history and environment and how these differences affect the need for and acceptance of nursing care within a global context.

This philosophy and conceptual framework is used in the development of all College of Nursing and Health Sciences course content, mapping of curriculum, student and program learning objectives. The College is in a unique position as a result of geographic location and institutional affiliation, to prepare professional nurses to improve the well‐being of complex, multicultural and populations.

Among the ways this global context is integrated into our School of Nursing:

• In the first semester of the RN to BSN track all students are required to take a three-hour course Cultural Determinants of Health Behavior as an introduction to culture from a health care perspective.
• Nursing students assess culture as it impacts health care. Case studies present students to situations where individuals from different cultures are faced with alterations in health status. Simulation experiences reflect the needs of various cultural populations.
• In the final semester of the generic BSN and RN/BSN program students take Global Health, a capstone course that examines global health problems and the ways in which cultural and religious beliefs influence an individual’s health.
• Throughout and at the end of the program, nationally recognized standardized norm tests are used to measure learning objectives related to cultural sensitivity and cultural compentence relating to health.
• Typhon, a clinical nurse tracking system, is used to document individual clinical cases and can be aggregated by age and ethnicity/race to show the complexicty and breadth of students' clinical experiences.
• The online program (RN to BSN) follows the same global philosophy foundation and conceptual threads are the same.

At the graduate level, the Master of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN) program produces culturally competent nursing leaders prepared with role specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Nursing Administrator (NADM).

• The MSN program has cultural competence and cultural sensitivity threaded throughout the curriculum beginning with the philosophy, conceptual framework and guiding theoretical threads.
• As with undergraduate students, all clinical experiences have a required component dealing with the assessment of cultural issues that impact patient care.
• Beginning knowledge and skills in how to assess and use this knowledge begins with the first clinical course of Advanced Health Assessment.

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Other Select Texas A&M International University Academic certificates, degrees and programs that extend our University';s global and international mission include:

Certificate in International Leadership:
This is an academic certificate that includes three groups of 3-credit courses based on fostering understanding of the learning outcomes associated with International Leadership. Students must apply and meet criteria to earn the Certificate.
https://catalog.tamiu.edu/undergraduate-information/undergraduate-certificates/international-leadership-certificte/

Certificate in International Studies:
This Certification is intended for undergraduate students in various disciplines across TAMIU who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service, international institutions, non-governmental international organizations, and multinational corporations as well as those who recognize the importance of understanding international issues to virtually any career field.
https://catalog.tamiu.edu/undergraduate-information/undergraduate-certificates/international-studies-certificte/

Certificate in Latin American Studies:
This Certificate allows students to enhance their skills and expertise with a broad knowledge of this primary geographical region. Completion of the requirements is certified by the Binational Center for Research, Education, Leadership, and Public Service (BINC) and the Office of the Registrar.
https://catalog.tamiu.edu/undergraduate-information/undergraduate-certificates/latin-american-studies-certificte/

Minor in International Leadership:
This is an academic program providing a minor for undergraduate students. It consists of 18 Semester Credit Hours courses and experiences in leadership, including communication, foundations of leadership, teamwork, international politics and transnational trends in communication, among others.
http://catalog.tamiu.edu/undergraduate-information/arts-sciences/social-sciences/international-leadership-minor/

The International Student Mentors Program:
ISMP is a peer support activity program which helps with the assimilation process of new international students to TAMIU and South Texas.
https://www.tamiu.edu/international/ISMP.shtml

TAMIU Trailblazers Program:
The TAMIU Trailblazers program is a co-curricular leadership initiative that serves as a student';s road map to success with co-curricular programs that compliment classroom learning. Activities are divided into five learning dimensions including The Global Perspective.
https://www.tamiu.edu/sole/tamiu-trailblazers20.shtml