Nursing Workshop Helps Students Explore Cultural Competence and Leadership in Clinical Care

In September, Trevecca’s nursing department hosted Cultural Competence in Clinical Settings, a workshop allowing students to learn from faculty and visiting physicians about the importance of communication, leadership and cultural awareness in healthcare.

Dr. Terrence Schofield, Trevecca's associate provost of mission excellence and reconciliation, led the discussion alongside Dr. Melvin Lightford, an internal medicine physician, and Dr. Millard Collins, former director of family medicine at Meharry Medical College. Students from a leadership management class and pre-nursing students participated in the session.

The workshop focused on intercultural communication and awareness in clinical practice, emphasizing how effective leadership strengthens healthcare teams and promotes cultural diversity. Students considered how leaders navigate conflict, foster respectful engagement and shape workplace dynamics.

Faculty and speakers also introduced Kurt Lewin’s leadership styles and highlighted the role of transformational leaders in healthcare settings. Traits such as inspiration, motivation, emotional intelligence and humility were presented as tools for guiding teams and improving patient outcomes.

The objectives for the workshop aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) BSN Essentials, calling students to explore cultural diversity, examine unit dynamics and recognize the effects of strong management on staffing and personnel.

This workshop showed alignment with the University’s mission to prepare nurses who are clinically skilled, culturally aware and ready to serve patients and colleagues with excellence.