180982 Nursing in the Americas: How nursing without walls can enhance best practice

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 8:30 AM

Karen Lucas Breda, PhD , College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Rapid economic globalization over the last several decades catapulted health care and educational institutions into an era of decentralization, individualism and the development of an exaggerated free market through privatization and deregulation. Nursing in the Americas was particularly affected by these processes and now faces unprecedented challenges within this climate of economic globalization. This presentation details the impact of globalization and neoliberalism on nursing in the Americas and offers solutions that nursing can use to enhance the health of populations. A team of international scholars used cross-national case study analysis to explore similarities and differences in nursing in seven countries across the Americas. Recently, increased privatization and corporatization has inundated all case study countries. Latin American nursing has strong historical roots in social justice and community based public health care. With a history of citizen participation and pro-social change movements in Canada and Latin America, professional nurses practicing in these countries have the ability to comprehend the intersection of political economy and health care systems. This contrasts with the free market values and characteristics of U.S. nursing and health care. Nursing can enhance best practice by instituting mechanisms for involvement in health policy and planning. International nursing partners can share knowledge to create change. Collaboration amongst nurses throughout the Americas in social justice and advocacy initiatives can enhance best practice. This collaboration will open the doors to true partnerships that transcend geographical and political economic borders.

Learning Objectives:
1. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to explain economic globalization. 2. By the end of the session, the participant will be able to discuss two ways collaboration amongst professional nurses across the Americas can enhance nursing practice and population health.

Keywords: International Health, Nurses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am doctorally prepared in anthropology and master's prepared in nursing.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.