Creating a Legacy through Nursing Leadership, Innovation, and Global Connectivity

Background: “Nurse leaders face a crucial need to understand and take initiative in responding to this radically changing world” (McElmurry, Kim, & Al Gasseer, 2000).  It is often a challenge for nurse leaders to develop a diverse world view without interacting with nurse leaders in a global context (Nichols, Shaffer, & Porter, 2011). Objectives: The Global Nursing Initiative aims: a) to make contributions to the advancement of nursing leadership, clinical practice, and nursing education in Japan; b) to establish an international collaboration between Saint Anthony College of Nursing (SACN) and Japanese higher education and healthcare institutions to facilitate  scholarship development; c) to demonstrate roles of an Advanced Practice Nurse in the US healthcare system; d) to learn about the Japanese healthcare system; and e) to introduce the mission and values of SACN and the OSF HealthCare System in an international context. Method: During three tours (May - June 2012, 2013, and 2014), 62 presentations by faculty and students of SACN and expert nursing staff of Saint Anthony Medical Center were delivered at six health science and nursing colleges, and six hospitals in Japan. Outcomes: Partnership development has occurred in the area of: 1) a week-long training seminar and an international conference delivered at SACN and SAMC in July of 2013; 2) collaborative international research and grant applications; 3) advancement of nursing leadership, which focused on advanced practice, clinical nurse leader role, Magnet programs and organizational culture; 4) a visit of Japanese nurse leaders and educators occurred for Sigma Theta Tau International Phi Omicron sponsored international conferences in Summer 2014 and 2015; and 5) continuation of international educational program delivery. Conclusion: The collaboration of SACN faculty and Japanese nursing leaders led to quality program delivery and building of mutual trusting relationships among the nurse leaders from both nations, which has stimulated further facilitation of global nursing leadership development opportunities.