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
“I am forever grateful to the people of Malawi for reminding me of the importance of human connection in health care.”
Anna, Malawi Immersion Program
Malawi or Thailand Immersion
Each summer, students in the traditional BSN program can participate in a four-week global experiential course in Malawi or Thailand. Students partner with local preceptors to learn health promotion, disease prevention, environmental health, and population-centered nursing. For more information, visit the Rural and Global Immersion section of the student site.
Guatemala Immersion
In this new immersion program, students in the traditional BSN program will provide sustainable care responsive to the specific needs of the San Lucas Tolimán community. Students will experience interdisciplinary collaboration with partners in medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy. For more information, visit the Rural and Global Immersion section of the student site.
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. Program length varies from two to four weeks in June. Learn more on the Rural and Global Immersion section of the student site.
Belize DNP Immersion
Each May, the School of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program partners with the School of Medicine and Public Health’s physician assistant (PA) program. Faculty and local healthcare providers precept with DNP and PA students to provide primary care to citizens in rural, underserved villages around Independence, Belize.
The clinical practice experience takes place Monday through Friday for one week. Students participate in a mid-week and weekend excursion, which extend the trip to approximately 10 days. On-campus preparation takes place before the immersion. DNP students earn required clinical practice hours.
Additional Global Health Opportunities and Resources
Additional opportunities for nursing students interested in global health issues and experiences:
- UW–Madison Global Health Institute (GHI): GHI’s goal is to apply research and education to advance health today and for the future. They work locally and globally within and across disciplines. You can complete the institute’s Graduate/Professional/Capstone Certificate in Global Health and the Undergraduate Certificate in Global Health. GHI also offers many seminars, an annual symposium, research awards, and other resources.
- International Academic Programs (IAP): 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.
- School of Nursing Domestic Immersions: The School of Nursing offers clinical immersion opportunities in rural Wisconsin for students in the traditional undergraduate nursing program. Learn about what is currently offered on the Rural and Global Immersion section of the student site.