Improving global nursing education exchange by improving cultural transition

19^th Global Nursing Education Conference

April 27-28, 2017 Las Vegas, USA

Patricia A Daoust

Massachusetts General Hospital, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Massachusetts General Hospital-Global Health Nursing enhances the status and reach of nursing on a global scale by focusing on nursing education, leadership and professional advocacy. We work collaboratively with our nurse colleagues in schools of nursing and healthcare facilities in resource limited settings primarily in Uganda and Tanzania. Through our global nurse fellowship program, we provide valuable theoretical and clinical expertise in direct response to requests from our academic partners. Although recognized as leaders in the field of nursing education, the cultural transition that any nurse must make to work effectively in a developing country cannot be underestimated. In order to appropriately equip our visiting faculty, we have developed a predeparture curriculum that helps ease the transition of living and teaching in another culture thus increasing the likelihood of a successful experience that is mutually beneficial. Considering the essential role that a well-educated nurse plays, it is vital that we better prepare our global nurse educators for the challenges they will confront in order to make informed behavioral decisions, and use teaching strategies that are culturally appropriate and impactful. We provide 10 tips that have been shown to enhance the international experience and we teach participants to recognize 5 stages of cultural adaptation. The curriculum contrasts the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in developing countries, the educational variances, and specific health system structures. Our goal is to share our experiences with other global nursing educational initiatives so that learning is enhanced and global nurse educators are empowered.

Biography :

Patricia A Daoust is the Director of Nursing for Global Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. She sets the vision, operationalizes and provides leadership to all global nursing initiatives related to the organizations mission. Presently she is also serving as the Interim Director of MGH - Global Health. The reach and impact of her work spans three decades and two continents. Her career trajectory is characterized by her enduring commitment to health as a human right and her dedication to the nursing profession. She has been the recipient of multiple awards including the Nursing Leadership Award by Sigma Theta Tau International, ANAC Public Service Award, AIDS Action Committee Heroes in Action Award, and the MGH Linda Kelly Visiting Scholar Recognition Award. She serves as the Global Committee Member for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and the Board Member of the Global Nursing Caucus.

Email: PDAOUST@mgh.harvard.edu