The Triangular Partnership Model is the third component in the health services sector. When forces within one or more of the other aspects of the triangle change, there are reverberating effects throughout the partnership. These occurred as the educational system began to prepare nurses for practice in Albanian health care organizations. The organization’s leader recognized the need to be ready to welcome the new learners.
The students presented two major challenges to the hospital system. They were coming to the organization as young students, but with knowledge and skills that exceeded some of the practicing nurses. Secondly, the hospital system had no “supports” to facilitate the students’ learning. Through collaboration with the partners, a “preceptor-like” model was developed, and selected staff nurse participated in a week-long session to develop techniques in teaching and communicating with the nursing students. Additionally, the staff nurses came to appreciate the role they would play in helping to develop the “new nurse” for the people of Albania.
Through enactment of the Scholarship of Engagement the U.S. –Albania Partnership continues to design and deliver health care knowledge and skills to each other. Through the self-and small group critique we engage in after a significant experience we discover new ways of viewing the people, problems and potential solutions in each of our worlds.
Building on our successes the partnership has begun to engage with the primary healthcare system of the Shkodra region of Albania. As we explore this new venue for the partnership we are uncovering talents and needs that each of us has to contribute to the next level of learning.
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