Support for international student nurses in UK higher education

International student nurses (ISNs) in the UK often experience significant shocks in different settings at different phases during their studies. Cultural shock is often understood as part of the experience of adjusting to an unfamiliar environment (Presbitero, 2016). ISNs may experience these in three key settings: academia, practice placements and their social lives. The authors acknowledge that such shocks happen in distinct phases and recognising them is crucial to providing targeted support. This article will explore these issues, drawing on the authors' professional experience as educators to recommend viable solutions to improve the university experience of ISNs. It will delve into the academic challenges ISNs encounter and the essential support they need to thrive while they are in their UK host institutions.

Within the academic context, international students encounter several cultural shocks, one of which is the difference in teaching styles. In UK higher education institutions (HEIs), there is a significant emphasis on critical thinking, self-directed learning and interactive participation. This approach to learning stimulates students to engage actively with different literature and resources, challenge established ideas, and expand their perspectives. Shaheen (2016) recognised that international students may face significant difficulties because they have little experience of the critical thinking and reflective practice that they will need in their studies in the challenging educational landscape of the UK. International students may come from cultures where rote learning is deeply embedded, information is commonly presented in a straightforward manner, and traditional didactic pedagogies persist where students heavily memorise and reproduce the same knowledge (Tan, 2011; Loh and Teo, 2017). Thus, transitioning from one context to another presents a change in mindset, practice and learning. The expectation to take charge of their own learning and participate actively in class discussions often requires ISNs to develop new skills and adapt to this new environment.