Cultural Humility, Nursing Students, and Aging Adults: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

This study explored how engagement with older adults promotes the development of cultural humility in prelicensure nurses. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach informed by Mezirow’s transformative learning theory and Kolb’s experiential learning theory, nine nursing students were interviewed following their volunteer experience at an international senior athletic competition. Four themes emerged: reframing aging, patient-centered connection, dismantling power dynamics, and shifting from medicalization to holistic care. Findings suggest that meaningful interactions with older adults foster openness, self-reflection, and respect for diversity, highlighting the value of integrating experiential learning into nursing education to prepare the workforce for equitable, person-centered geriatric care.