Modified Cultural Awareness Scale: Measuring the Psychometric Properties for Use in Undergraduate Nursing Education in Ireland

Cultural awareness underpins equitable, patient-centered care and is vital for nursing students’ professional development. Existing scales require validation across diverse contexts. This study evaluates the psychometric properties of a Modified Cultural Awareness Scale (mCAS) for undergraduate nursing students in Ireland. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 414 nursing students using an online 32-item mCAS on a 7-point Likert scale. Exploratory factor analyses assessed scale validity, while Cronbach’s alpha tested reliability. Factor analysis confirmed a four-factor structure. The mCAS demonstrated internal consistency and good model fit indices, supporting its validity and reliability. The mCAS can be used as a general tool for assessing cultural awareness in Irish nursing education. Its adoption can support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by fostering culturally competent practitioners who deliver inclusive care. Future research should explore its use in interprofessional settings and longitudinal outcomes.