Building an International Partnership to Develop Advanced Practice Nurses in Anesthesia Settings: Using a Theory-Driven Approach

[International exchange program for anesthesia nursing students : Retrospective analysis of sustainable evaluation criteria]

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Anesthesia nursing students have little contact with relevant global contexts of their professional practice and health care as a whole. An international exchange program between a German postgraduate institution and a US university focuses on this global perspective and provides insights into each other's healthcare systems. The article offers insight into a successful international exchange program and analyzes possible evaluation criteria for the program.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of program implementation at both institutions, evaluations conducted to date, and exchange experiences that have taken place is conducted. From this, possible quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 13 student exchange trips and 7 reciprocal faculty visits were recorded as part of the program. Over the 6‑year period analyzed, a total of 15 clinical institutions were recruited for job shadowing. Additional outcomes included joint scientific projects and publications (contributions to journals and congresses).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The structured goal setting and operationalization of an international cooperation are helpful for the later analysis of its success. In the example described, anesthesia nursing students, faculty, and the participating institutions benefited from the international exchange program. From this, quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria could be identified and described for future use for international exchange of anesthesia nursing students.

International networking guidelines for nurses

ABSTRACT

Basic guidelines are necessary for international networking in nursing. This article outlines the benefits of and strategies for networking, highlights the social and behavioral considerations of social networking, and presents potential guidelines for further discourse.

Global partnerships in nursing - A qualitative study in lessons for success

Global nursing partnerships can develop cultural competence and standardisation across international nurse education programmes. Issues of context, cultural awareness and modes of engagement can influence the success of international collaboration. The 'Supporting Internationalisation of Traineeships in the Healthcare Sector' project, funded from 2017, brought together nine international partners from Finland, Poland, Spain and the UK to develop a pan-European quality audit process for clinical learning environments. As part of the evaluation, eight project partners were interviewed about the project and their criteria for a successful global partnership. The interviews allowed insight into previously hidden aspects of implementation. The importance of a scoping period for nursing global partnerships was highlighted that built on cultural diversity to explore common understandings. Attention to the use of prior expertise in internationalisation, or project objectives, could accelerate a global partnership to achieve a greater potential in its outcomes and cultural sensitivity. Framed in a clear structure, it is possible for global partnerships to embed ownership, autonomy and individual voice in partner organisations. The research concludes that only by growing international champions through funded and well constituted projects, that a genuine impact on the global health and educational needs in nursing can be met.