Partnering Globally to Build Capacity in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Leadership

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Irmajean Bajnok, RN, MSN, PhD
International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Programs, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
Doris Grinspun, RN, MSN, Oont
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada
Karen Ellis-Scharfenberg
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada

Learning Objective 1: To provide an overview of an international partnership with the Chinese nursing community to build nursing leadership and evidence based capacity.

Learning Objective 2: To highlight the impact of best practice guidelines in enhancing nursing excellence globally.

In response to international interest in its Nursing Best Practice Guidelines Program, a major professional organization is working with organizations globally to build capacity in evidence-based practice.  This is the goal of an international partnership with the Chinese nursing community, through partnership with an organization playing a leadership role in nursing professional development in China.  Within this partnership, a leadership management certificate program was established based on the Healthy Work Environment Guideline- Developing and Sustaining Nursing Leadership, as well as other clinical and healthy work environment best practice guidelines. In addition to the leadership program, the partnership included development and implementation of  facilitation sessions, incorporating practice teaching, to support those leaders who will be program facilitators in the future.  The intent is to  enable nurse leaders in China to guide others in creating an evidence based culture and a more person centred approach to health care.  This presentation will highlight the 10-day leadership program, delivered to nurse leaders, from all parts of China, and reflect lessons learned related to international partnerships and the outcomes from this intense focus on capacity building among nursing leaders in China.  These learnings have shaped the continuing partnership which involves further program delivery and related facilitation sessions in collaboration with successful graduates of the leadership program.