Global Health Immersion
Expect the Unexpected
School of Nursing students gain hands-on nursing practice and research experience in global settings with diverse individuals, families, communities, and health systems. They explore social justice, planetary health, culturally congruent care, and ethics in a whole new way. Our programs collaborate with on and off campus partners to help build students’ interprofessional practice skills both locally and internationally.
Explore Global Health
“It’s so holistic. That’s the main thing I take away from this. They take such a wide view of what is affecting someone’s health and ask how everyone can work together to improve that person’s health.”
Domestic Immersions
OB Immersion
Explore OB nursing in Wisconsin’s largest birth center! This summer immersion offers hands-on experience in labor & delivery, NICU, and more—plus 3 credits toward N436. Learn from nurses, advocate for patients, and dive into women’s health care.
Ho-Chunk House of Wellness Immersion
Join a 4-week rural immersion in Baraboo & Sauk County! Partner with the Ho-Chunk Nation, explore community & public health, and gain hands-on experience in clinics, wellness, EMS, and more—while learning the unique challenges of rural care.
Wisconsin Lions Camp
Spend 2 weeks at Wisconsin Lions Camp gaining hands-on experience in pediatrics and community health. Work with youth with disabilities in a fast-paced, real-world setting—managing meds, supporting care, and making a meaningful impact.
International Immersions
Ireland Research Immersion
This study abroad experience takes place at the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Systems at University College Dublin. Students learn about evidence-based practice, the nursing research process, and Irish society and culture.
Malawi Immersion
Students in the traditional BSN program can participate in a four-week global experiential course. They’ll partner with local preceptors to learn about health promotion, disease prevention, maternal and child health, environmental health, and population-centered nursing.
Belize DNP Practicum
Each Fall and Spring, DNP students can partner with Hillside Health Care International to gain clinical experience. Local health care providers precept DNP students to provide primary care to citizens in rural, underserved villages around the Toledo District in Southern Belize. Students interested in public health can also attend and complete community based projects with preceptors.
“I am forever grateful to the people of Malawi for reminding me of the importance of human connection in health care.”
Student Stories
Where Culture Meets Care
Undergraduate nursing students are benefiting from a new nursing immersion program with the Ho-Chunk House of Wellness.
Learning from cultural differences
Kennidy Pelnar overcame her fears about going to Malawi and made powerful connections across cultural and language barriers.
Mauro Barrera’s Ireland Immersion Experience
Mauro Berrera reflects on how being a good listener and keeping an open mind are essential skills anywhere in the world, and that sometimes you learn the most by listening rather than speaking.
More Global Health Resources
Explore additional opportunities for nursing students interested in global health issues and experiences.
Global Health Certificates
UW–Madison offers two global health certificates. The School of Medicine and Public Health offers an online Graduate/Professional/Capstone Certificate in Global Health, and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health.
International Academic Programs
International Academic Programs (IAP) is the university’s comprehensive resource for academic experiences worldwide. It offers more than 200 programs in 60 countries in collaboration with academic units across campus. The School of Nursing partners with IAP to offer the summer clinical experiences and nursing research programs immersions listed above.
Support Global Health
Gifts to the Nursing Class of 1973 fund support School of Nursing faculty who are engaged in global, planetary, or related research and scholarship.