Caring for the Deaf: Nursing Students' Knowledge and Awareness.

Navigating an increasingly complex health care system is challenging for marginalized populations, including the Deaf and hard of hearing who rely heavily on nurses' and hospital-provided interpreters' knowledge of the American Sign Language. This study examined Deaf culture knowledge and awareness among undergraduate and graduate nursing students in the United States. Study findings indicated low knowledge regarding cochlear implants, use of interpreters, and parental newborn hearing test rights. Integrating care of the deaf into all levels of nursing education will serve to promote patient health literacy and health outcomes while advancing the science of nursing education.