Nursing EducationNURS-PHOTONCT06816290
Being a Nursing Student in a Foreign Country
An observational study of Nursing Education and Cultural Adaptation, run by Ankara University.
Trial summary
Understanding the experiences and specific learning needs of international nursing students is crucial for the success of nursing education programs. Providing necessary support and adjustments to facilitate their adaptation process is essential. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Nursing Education, Cultural Adaptation, Education
- What is being tested?
- This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings and
- How many people
- 96 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 17 Feb 2025to 1 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: The population consists of foreign students enrolled in the English program of the Nursing Department at a private university.
Who may be able to join
- Being enrolled in the English program of the Nursing Department at a university during the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Being registered in the nursing department with the international student quota.
- Having completed at least one semester of nursing education.
- Owning a smartphone capable of taking photos.
- Volunteering to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Students who wish to withdraw from the study at any stage will not be included in the research.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Being a Nursing Student in a Foreign Country: a Photovoice Study
Understanding the experiences and specific learning needs of international nursing students is crucial for the success of nursing education programs. Providing necessary support and adjustments to facilitate their adaptation process is essential. This study employs the Photovoice method, a qualitative research approach, allowing students to express their educational journey from their own perspectives. Through visual representation, they can communicate their experiences more effectively.
Read the detailed description
In addition to the advantages of being a nursing student in a foreign country, students may face many challenges that affect both their personal and academic lives. The lack of social networks and support systems, combined with the stress of the educational process, can negatively impact academic success. Studying in a foreign language can be particularly challenging, especially in the early stages. Language barriers can cause difficulties in understanding both theoretical and practical aspects of nursing education, hindering interaction with peers, faculty, and health teams in clinical settings. This can slow down the learning process and lead to communication breakdowns. Adapting to a new culture can also be challenging for some students, leading to anxiety, loneliness, or depression. Additionally, studying abroad brings extra costs such as tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, and health insurance.
This research will use a qualitative research method called the photovoice technique. Students meeting the inclusion criteria will be informed about the study's purpose and method, and invited to participate. Students who agree to participate will first complete an Introductory Information Form. They will then be asked to submit three photos, taken with their smartphones, that they feel reflect their experiences of "living in a foreign country and being a nursing student" within a week. Before photo submission, participants will be provided with the photo-taking procedure and will be required to send their photos along with date and time information and brief descriptions. These photos will be stored by the responsible researcher with a code number on a personal computer, along with transcripts.
The second phase of data collection will involve scheduling interviews in a quiet and secure environment. During face-to-face interviews, open-ended questions from the Structured Individual Interview Form will be asked, and participants will be encouraged to express their feelings and thoughts about the photos they have taken. They will also be asked to choose one photo that best represents their experience of "living in a foreign country and being a nursing student," and explain why they chose it. The two assistant researchers will transcribe the participant's explanations directly during the interview for content analysis.
- Conditions
- Nursing Education, Cultural Adaptation, Education
- Being tested
- This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings and
- Keywords
- nursing students, photovoice, Cultural Adaptation, international education
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings andOther
Photovoice is a participant-centered research method that allows participants to convey their experiences through visual data. This method is particularly used to understand social issues and the challenges individuals face. Participants take photos that they find meaningful related to the research topic and express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through these images.
In this study, the Photovoice method is used to visualize the experiences of being a nursing student in a foreign country. Participants share their cultural adaptation, educational processes, personal challenges, and overall life experiences through photos taken with their smartphones. The photos are then analyzed in-depth during face-to-face interviews with the participants, where they discuss the meaning of the photo, the reason for choosing it, and their personal experiences.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Photovoice | Photovoice is a participant-centered research method that allows participants to convey their experiences through visual data. This method is particularly used to understand social issues and the challenges individuals face. Participants take photos that they find meaningful related to the research topic and express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through these images.
In this study, the Photovoice method is used to visualize the experiences of being a nursing student in a foreign country. Participants share their cultural adaptation, educational processes, personal challenges, and overall life experiences through photos taken with their smartphones. The photos are then analyzed in-depth during face-to-face interviews with the participants, where they discuss the meaning of the photo, the reason for choosing it, and their personal experiences. Receives: Other: This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings and |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Semi-structured Questions
The interview is supported by four semi-structured questions that encourage international students to express their experiences:
What is it like to be a student at this school? What factors help you in your studies here? As an international student, what challenges do you face? Can you describe your experiences as a nursing student in a foreign country?
Measured: Within 1 week after participating in the study and submitting the photos to the researcher
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Feb 2025
- Study start17 Feb 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Nursing EducationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Other
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nursemin ÜNAL, Ankara University
- Investigators
- Gamze Acavut, Assist. Prof., Study chair, Ankara Medipol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06816290
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/3
- Acronym
- NURS-PHOTO
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 3 Feb 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Merry L, Vissandjee B, Verville-Provencher K. Challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries: a scoping review with a gender lens. BMC Nurs. 2021 Sep 18;20(1):174. doi: 10.1186/s12912-021-00678-0.
PubMed 34537039Tanrıkulu, F., Öner, Ö., Gürcay, B., & Akgül, E. (2024). A Qualitative Study of Foreign Nursing Students' Experiences of Educational Process. Journal of Qualitative Research in Education, (39), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.14689/enad.39.1732
Kol E, Arikan F, Arikan C, Yabarow F, Gunbayi I. Being an international nursing student in Turkey: A qualitative study. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jan;57(1):66-72. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12525. Epub 2020 May 8.
PubMed 32383270
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Being a Nursing Student in a Foreign Country: a Photovoice Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06816290
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NURS-PHOTO / 2025/3
- Conditions
- Nursing Education, Cultural Adaptation, Education
- Keywords
- nursing students, photovoice, Cultural Adaptation, international education
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 96 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 Feb 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 10 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Understanding the experiences and specific learning needs of international nursing students is crucial for the success of nursing education programs. Providing necessary support and adjustments to facilitate their adaptation process is essential. This study employs the Photovoice method, a qualitative research approach, allowing students to express their educational journey from their own perspectives. Through visual representation, they can communicate their experiences more effectively.
Detailed description
In addition to the advantages of being a nursing student in a foreign country, students may face many challenges that affect both their personal and academic lives. The lack of social networks and support systems, combined with the stress of the educational process, can negatively impact academic success. Studying in a foreign language can be particularly challenging, especially in the early stages. Language barriers can cause difficulties in understanding both theoretical and practical aspects of nursing education, hindering interaction with peers, faculty, and health teams in clinical settings. This can slow down the learning process and lead to communication breakdowns. Adapting to a new culture can also be challenging for some students, leading to anxiety, loneliness, or depression. Additionally, studying abroad brings extra costs such as tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, and health insurance.
This research will use a qualitative research method called the photovoice technique. Students meeting the inclusion criteria will be informed about the study's purpose and method, and invited to participate. Students who agree to participate will first complete an Introductory Information Form. They will then be asked to submit three photos, taken with their smartphones, that they feel reflect their experiences of "living in a foreign country and being a nursing student" within a week. Before photo submission, participants will be provided with the photo-taking procedure and will be required to send their photos along with date and time information and brief descriptions. These photos will be stored by the responsible researcher with a code number on a personal computer, along with transcripts.
The second phase of data collection will involve scheduling interviews in a quiet and secure environment. During face-to-face interviews, open-ended questions from the Structured Individual Interview Form will be asked, and participants will be encouraged to express their feelings and thoughts about the photos they have taken. They will also be asked to choose one photo that best represents their experience of "living in a foreign country and being a nursing student," and explain why they chose it. The two assistant researchers will transcribe the participant's explanations directly during the interview for content analysis.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Other
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Photovoice | – | Other: This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings andPhotovoice is a participant-centered research method that allows participants to convey their experiences through visual data. This method is particularly used to understand social issues and the challenges individuals face. Participants take photos that they find meaningful related to the research topic and express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through these images. In this study, the Photovoice method is used to visualize the experiences of being a nursing student in a foreign country. Participants share their cultural adaptation, educational processes, personal challenges, and overall life experiences through photos taken with their smartphones. The photos are then analyzed in-depth during face-to-face interviews with the participants, where they discuss the meaning of the photo, the reason for choosing it, and their personal experiences. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The population consists of foreign students enrolled in the English program of the Nursing Department at a private university.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Being enrolled in the English program of the Nursing Department at a university during the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Being registered in the nursing department with the international student quota.
- Having completed at least one semester of nursing education.
- Owning a smartphone capable of taking photos.
- Volunteering to participate in the study
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Students who wish to withdraw from the study at any stage will not be included in the research.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| This research uses a qualitative method called photovoice. Participants express their "experience of being a nursing student in a foreign country" through visuals and share their feelings andPhotovoice is a participant-centered research method that allows participants to convey their experiences through visual data. This method is particularly used to understand social issues and the challenges individuals face. Participants take photos that they find meaningful related to the research topic and express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through these images. In this study, the Photovoice method is used to visualize the experiences of being a nursing student in a foreign country. Participants share their cultural adaptation, educational processes, personal challenges, and overall life experiences through photos taken with their smartphones. The photos are then analyzed in-depth during face-to-face interviews with the participants, where they discuss the meaning of the photo, the reason for choosing it, and their personal experiences. | Other | Photovoice |
Primary outcome
Semi-structured Questions
Time frame: Within 1 week after participating in the study and submitting the photos to the researcher
The interview is supported by four semi-structured questions that encourage international students to express their experiences: What is it like to be a student at this school? What factors help you in your studies here? As an international student, what challenges do you face? Can you describe your experiences as a nursing student in a foreign country?
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Feb 2025.
- Background: PubMed 34537039Merry L, Vissandjee B, Verville-Provencher K. Challenges, coping responses and supportive interventions for international and migrant students in academic nursing programs in major host countries: a scoping review with a gender lens. BMC Nurs. 2021 Sep 18;20(1):174. doi: 10.1186/s12912-021-00678-0.
- BackgroundTanrıkulu, F., Öner, Ö., Gürcay, B., & Akgül, E. (2024). A Qualitative Study of Foreign Nursing Students' Experiences of Educational Process. Journal of Qualitative Research in Education, (39), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.14689/enad.39.1732
- Background: PubMed 32383270Kol E, Arikan F, Arikan C, Yabarow F, Gunbayi I. Being an international nursing student in Turkey: A qualitative study. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jan;57(1):66-72. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12525. Epub 2020 May 8.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Gamze Acavut, Assist. Prof. study chair
Ankara Medipol University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Nursing Education and Cultural Adaptation, run by Ankara University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Nursemin Unal, Associate Prof. (+905077433629, nurse_unal@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Semi-structured Questions (time frame: Within 1 week after participating in the study and submitting the photos to the researcher). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06816290, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Feb 2025.