A model operationalizing sustainability in global nursing.

BACKGROUND: The concept of sustainability has received growing attention since the adoption of the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development agenda. Yet, in the context of sweeping changes regarding the status and profile of global nursing, sustainability has not been fully conceptualized. PURPOSE: To explore the concept of sustainability in global nursing in order to develop an operational definition and model. METHODS: Concept analysis using Rodger's Evolutionary method to explicate the term "sustainability" in a global nursing context. FINDINGS: Key features of sustainability were described. Existing models of global nursing focus on partnerships and lack a clear conceptualization and integration of sustainability. An operational definition and model of sustainability in global nursing were developed. DISCUSSION: Evolutionary review and analysis led to clarity in operationalizing sustainability in global nursing. The definition and model compliment existing models and provide a road map for global nursing to contribute toward the UN Sustainable Development agenda.

The evaluation of evidence-informed changes to an internationally educated nurse registration process.

AIM: To evaluate effectiveness of specific policy and practice changes to the process of registration for internationally educated nurses. BACKGROUND: Little research exists to inform registration policy for internationally educated health professionals. INTRODUCTION: Internationally educated nurse employment can help address nursing shortages. Regulators assess competencies for equivalency to Canadian-educated nurses, but differences in health systems, education and practice create challenges. METHODS: The study setting was a Canadian province. We used a mixed methods approach, with a pre-post-quasi-experimental design and a qualitative evaluation. Previous analysis of relationships between applicant variables, registration outcomes and timelines informed changes to our registration process. Implementation of these changes composes the intervention. Comparisons between pre- and post-implementation exemplar subgroups and timeline analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and non-parametric tests. Data were collected from complete application files before (n = 426) and after (n = 287) implementation of the intervention. Interviews, focus groups and consultations were completed with various stakeholders. FINDINGS: The time between steps in the process was significantly reduced following implementation. Stakeholders reported an increase in perceived efficiency, transparency and use of evidence. DISCUSSION: Results indicated that initial impacts of the policy changes streamlined the process for applicants and staff. CONCLUSION: Maintaining a consistent and systematic review of an organization's data coupled with implementation of findings to effect policy and practice change may have an important impact on regulatory policy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: These findings represent the beginning of an international policy conversation. Policy changes based on organizational data can underlie major process improvement initiatives. Ongoing nursing shortages across the globe and increasing mobility of nurses make it important to have efficient and transparent regulatory policy informed by evidence.

Graduate experiences with transnational nursing education: a qualitative enquiry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to share insights, research findings and discuss key issues related to graduate experiences with transnational nursing education (TNE). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors used a qualitative approach and sampled national and international nurse graduates to identify challenges and best operating practices in cross-border nursing program facilitation. FINDINGS: This research paper has provided a platform for graduates to lend their voices to the promotion of effective cross-border nursing education delivery and suggests that although international collaborations endeavor to maintain high academic standards in TNE, there is still a need to re-engineer, revise and adapt curricular content, learning, teaching and assessment practices to aid the nursing student. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Identified challenges affecting the facilitation and delivery of cross-border nursing education programs can act as levers to improving service quality of present and future cross-border programs to the nursing student. This will assist future nursing students to recognize culture shock and embrace their decision to pursue nursing. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The experience of being involved in TNE for nursing students may not be that much different than students of other disciplines. While not able to be generalized to the entire population, the reports by the nursing students in this sample appear to be valuable and worthwhile to continue supporting and encouraging other TNE opportunities. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper explores cross-border nursing education experiences from national and international perspectives. The authors were able to explore inherent TNE challenges from diverse population and cultural backgrounds.

An Unconventional Path Leads to a Lifetime Commitment to the Nursing Profession.

The author shares his learnings as a nurse leader. Currently, the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CGFNS International, Inc. (formerly known as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools), he discusses job transitions; the importance of networks and colleagues, and collaboration.

CE: Inside an Ebola Treatment Unit: A Nurse's Report.

In December 2013, the first cases of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever) emerged in the West African nation of Guinea. Within months the disease had spread to the neighboring countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The international humanitarian aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF; known in English as Doctors Without Borders) soon responded by sending staff to set up treatment centers and outreach triage teams in all three countries. In August 2014, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international public health emergency.In September 2014, the author was sent by MSF to work as a nurse in an Ebola treatment unit in Liberia for five weeks. This article describes her experiences there. It provides some background, outlines the practices and teams involved, and aims to convey a sense of what it's like to work during an Ebola outbreak and to put a human face on this devastating epidemic.

International Nurses Day and press coverage in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: In some countries, nursing's appeal as a profession is diminishing, partly due to poor press coverage and the media's portrayal of an over-loaded, poorly paid profession. The media is important for shaping public perceptions and raising policy issues. International Nurses Day gives nurses an opportunity to profile their critical contribution to quality health care. AIM: To determine the influence of this commemorative day on press coverage about nursing by examining whether there was a difference in the proportion of South African press articles on nursing between January-April and May-June 2010. METHODS: A quantitative content analysis was conducted of all press articles mentioning 'nursing' or 'nurse/s' in the South African lay press from 1 January-31 June 2010. Articles were coded for theme, slant and prominence, and inter-coder reliability was assessed. Descriptive statistics with chi square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the two time periods. RESULTS: We identified 242 articles in 95 publications. The month of May had almost double the press coverage of January. International Nurses Day articles were mainly positive, and appeared in May to June in weekly community publications rather than in daily national and regional newspapers. When they were excluded, most articles portrayed nursing negatively. LIMITATIONS: The 6-month period may not be representative of the entire year. Only the dominant topic was coded, which possibly influenced the analysis. CONCLUSION: International Nurses Day positively influenced the extent and slant of press coverage. Efforts to sustain coverage beyond the event through strategic partnerships and media engagement should be strengthened. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The media's portrayal of nurses and nursing may influence the choice of nursing as a career. International Nurses Day is an opportunity to portray nursing positively. Media training may help nurses to advocate for their profession in the media.

Organizational support in the recruitment and transition of overseas-qualified nurses: lessons learnt from a study tour.

The migration of nurses has been a global phenomenon, and the integration of overseas-qualified nurses within host countries has led to debate worldwide. Evidence suggests that support provided by organizations can vary and that there is minimal information on the nature and extent of organizational support required to enhance a smooth transition of overseas-qualified nurses into nursing practice. This explorative study tour examined the organizational support provided to enhance overseas-qualified nurses' transition into the nursing workforce in two countries. The various support mechanisms provided to overseas-qualified nurses in different organizations include transition, acculturation, mentoring programs, and initial settlement assistance. The successful transition of overseas-qualified nurses into a host country is a complex issue. A robust support system for these nurses should be based on ethical considerations and a team approach that is linked to strong leadership. In addition, education and support for existing staff is essential for a successful transition of overseas-qualified nurses into practice. Lessons learnt from this study tour might also be relevant to the transition of other overseas-qualified health professionals, such as doctors and allied health professionals, in host countries.