Preparing nurse leaders for global health practice

The purpose of this presentation is to describe an approach to prepare nurses for leadership in global health. Interconnections that affect population health in both global and local settings are increasingly recognized. Examples include environmental issues, poverty, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and human migration. Global experiences are critical to prepare nurses to recognize and respond to global health trends. The approach described here offers options to graduate and undergraduate nursing students to gain knowledge and experience through a 9 credit graduate or a 15 credit undergraduate global health certificate program, or through a global community health nursing course. All options incorporate preparatory coursework, a field experience, and self-reflection and evaluation. Global field experiences, lasting from one to six weeks, build upon core competencies and are inter-disciplinary. Since 2005 over 120 nursing students have participated in field experiences in many world regions. Field sites are established by identifying a community agency, organization, or academic institution partner to assure that student experiences complement a local health agenda. Academic quality, resources, safety, and staffing are assured before a site is established. Evaluation of this approach includes analysis of survey and program evaluation data to summarize strengths and limitations of this approach, and the impact of global experiences on students' future professional practice. This approach to global health nursing education, involving graduate and undergraduate students, linking with other academic disciplines, engaging students from preparation through reflection, and in partnership with active global partners is a viable approach to prepare nurses for global health leadership.