Evaluation of a Comprehensive international web based educational program for Nursing Students During the COVID 19 pandemic

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted nursing education in developing anddeveloped countries. In response to pandemic-related challenges such as campus shut downs, nursing schoolsimplemented open and distance learning programs (ODL) that allowed them to continue offering nursingeducation. This paper reports on an ODL patient safety course implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic thatwas also used to facilitate an international, cross-cultural learning experience.Method: Forty undergraduate senior nursing students in the United States (U.S.) and the Dominican Republic(D.R.) enrolled in a synchronous and asynchronous ODL nursing patient safety course implemented by [Blinded]in conjunction with [Blinded].Results: Thirty-seven students completed all of the program requirements. The majority of students rated theircourse experience highly; they agreed or strongly agreed with all course evaluation statements, including whethertheir overall course evaluation was positive (95%) and whether the curriculum was culturally appropriate (97%).Conclusions: Our experience in implementing a nursing patient safety ODL course can serve as a model for (1)how ODL can help nursing schools respond to restrictions imposed by an ongoing pandemic; (2) how ODL can beused to enhance cross-cultural nursing education; and (3) how nursing schools can collaborate effectively acrossborders.