Description/Overview: The future of nursing globally depends on the ability of nurses to convey empirically what nurses can do, are doing, and what they need to do better. With evidence of their contributions to patient outcomes, nurses can shape policy at local, national, and international levels. In 2006, professionals who shared a common interest in African health needs formed the North Texas Africa Health Initiative (NTAHI). Within NTAHI, a small team of nurses, the presenters, wanted to improve the health of the people in Uganda. In 2007, the team visited Ugandan hospitals, clinics, and universities; talked with Ugandan nurses; and began creating a collaborative partnership among nurses. The initial partners were faculty at Makerere University and officers of the Uganda National Association of Nurses and Midwives. Based on their input, we committed to conducting continuing education workshops to meet learning needs identified by our Ugandan colleagues. Nursing research was identified as a critical learning need and so became the focus of the workshops. To complete a BSN in Uganda, students must conduct a study and produce a thesis. Because very few nurses who had completed master’s and doctorate degrees and BSN programs were relatively new in Uganda, practicing nurses had minimal knowledge of research. Nurse leaders communicated a desire to learn more about research so they could move toward evidence-based practice and increased status of the profession within the health care system. The first presentation will describe the research workshops we have conducted and the lessons learned about logistics and politics. The next two presentations will describe the unexpected outcomes of the workshops- the development of a national nursing research committee and monthly journal clubs. The symposium will conclude with principles for replicating this project and collaborating with international colleagues to develop research capacity.

Learner Objective #1: Describe how one small team of Sigma Theta Tau International members worked with Uganda nurses to develop their research capacity.

Learner Objective #2: From this team’s experiences, identify principles of developing and maintaining international partnerships.