Authors

N Arunasalam

Abstract

This study investigated outcomes of the provision, by one Australian and two U.K. universities, of bridging programs that allow registered Malaysian nurses to upgrade their diploma qualifications to degree level. The study was informed by current literature on Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) programs. Not sufficiently explored in the literature are nurses’ lived experiences of such programs and how far they apply TNHE theory in clinical practice. Using hermeneutic phenomenology, interviews were conducted with 18 Malaysian nurses who completed these TNHE programs. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were that personal and professional development did occur but it cannot be attributed entirely to the quality of the TNHE provision, which all nurses found to be problematic. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors mediated how far nurses applied the taught theory in their clinical practice. Longitudinal research is needed to identify the long-term impacts of TNHE programs on clinical practice.

DOI

10.1177/1028315315616680

Publication Date

2016-07-01

Publication Title

Journal of Studies in International Education

Volume

20

Issue

3

Publisher

SAGE Publications

ISSN

1028-3153

Embargo Period

2024-11-19

First Page

242

Last Page

259

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