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

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.