Cultural Integration Online: The Lived Experience of English-as-a-Second-Language RN-BSN Nursing Students Learning in an Online Environment

AIM The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of RN-BSN English-as-a-second-language (ESL) nursing students who are engaged in learning online. BACKGROUND Enrollment in RN-BSN degree completion programs has increased in the last several years, leading to a rise in program offerings online. There is limited research about the experiences of students who speak ESL. METHOD Ten individual interviews were conducted incorporating van Manen's methodological steps for exploring the lived experience. RESULTS Through phenomenological reflection, five major themes emerged: understanding the online classroom, expressing culture online, alone but not lonely, writing as a surmountable barrier, and faculty role in the online journey. CONCLUSION RN-BSN ESL nursing students who pursue their degree online do so for convenience and flexibility. Exploring their lived experiences offered insight into their personal challenges and triumphs with integration, writing, and obtaining support for success.