Delta Theta Builds a Consortium to Engage Other Chapters in Global Health Activities

The Delta Theta Chapter at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation has built a consortium of chapters that have engaged in global health activities since 1999.  Six chapters in the North Texas area first collaborated together to sponsor a project in India under the leadership of Delta Theta.  Consortium projects have taken place in two other countries, Uganda and Haiti.  The consortium’s strategic plan is to be involved internationally with nursing education projects.  This abstract highlights the consortium’s past, present and future activities and discusses how Delta Theta has engaged other chapters.

For all global projects, the activities with international partners must be built on trust and mutual respect.  By listening to the needs of both partners, nursing knowledge is shared and activities developed. The consortium’s first project was with the Rebakah Ann Naylor School of Nursing (RANSON) in southern India.  This area has limited opportunity for the education of nursing students.  The consortium provides funds to purchase  two new uniforms for graduates to use during their mandatory two years of return service.  Additionally, funds are granted for a graduation reception. The consortium has funded an International Council of Nurses (ICN) Mobile Library in the Bangalore Baptist Hospital for the staff and the new graduates.  On an annual basis a consortium member attends graduation and offers a continuing nursing education class for the faculty and students.  Students graduating in 2016 will be the first baccalaureate class.  The consortium will place an ICN Mobile Library on the campus. 

Since 2007, projects in Uganda have been conducted with the Makerere University School of Nursing, northeast of the capitol city of Kampala.  Projects include curriculum and research workshops, joint research projects and funds for library resources.  There is a collaborative effort to continue these projects.  The Eta Gamma chapter has joined Delta Theta to provide meals for the workshops in Uganda and purchase small gifts for the nurses who attend.

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti opened the door for the consortium to provide activities with the Haiti National School of Nursing (HNSON) in Port-au-Prince.  This state nursing school waives tuition to its students, but students are expected to pay for expensive ancillary items, which is out of reach for the average student.   An ICN mobile library was placed in the only building left standing at the school.  The consortium developed and registered a Non-Governmental Organization with 501(c)(3) status to establish a scholarship fund for nursing students.  The consortium has worked with nursing leadership of the school to select recipients and disburse funds according to their needs, sometimes under emergency circumstances.  Beta Beta-Dallas joined Delta Theta to provide funds for graduation expenses.  To honor the collaborative nature of the partnership, the Dean of the HNSON was inducted into one of the consortium’s chapters in spring 2015. 

The members of the consortium have developed strong collaborative relationships with nurse leaders in each country that will lead to new joint projects in the future.  Many thanks to the six chapters in the consortium:  Delta Theta, Beta Beta-Dallas, Eta Gamma, Beta Alpha, Tau Chi, and Xi Iota for combining their strength to make a difference in nursing education globally.