Methods: This study is based on the self-reported experience of faculty, preceptors, and nursing students that have participated in the collaborative partnership between Brazil and the United States (US). There is a well-established process for exchanging nursing professionals and students. An initial visit by the Dean and Associate Dean of the US School of Nursing resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for education and research between the universities.
Faculty and students from a School of Nursing in California, US visited the Brazilian university and university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilian professors also visited the School of Nursing in California. Discussions ensued by e-mail and videoconference.
Results: Between 2013 and 2016, faculty members from the School of Nursing in California travelled to Brazil 3 times, while Brazilian faculty members from Rio travelled once to the US. Additionally, two groups of US students have travelled to Rio where they had the opportunity observe nursing research and practice. For example, while health care systems are very different, the population and the pressure from the growing a gerontological population is a significant consideration that is similarly shared between Brazil and the US. Moreover, there are opportunities to identify different ways to solve problems consistent with the culture of each country. Observations and discussion led to new research possibilities in child and gerontological nursing. For example issues related to the Zika virus, dementia syndromes; an application of a cognitive stimulation workshop for elderly people with dementia, a gerontological nursing care strategy (Souza, Bastos, Santana, As & Cassiano, 2008), and aging variations and ethnopharmacology (Woods, Mentes, Cadogan & Phillips, 2016) focusing on conditions common to both countries. Using similar instruments to measure outcomes will help improve cross-cultural comparisons (Jessen, Cruz, Tesoro & Lopes, 2014). Ongoing videoconferencing, monthly will maintain relationships and help to identify areas of mutual interest for research. Preliminary studies have shown that nurses who understand a variety of different people are more effective in offering ways to deal with illness and to seek wellness. According to Long (2016), the main benefit that an international experience can offer are: 1) improving cultural awareness; 2) increasing cultural sensitivity; 3) providing exposure to regional diseases and health conditions; 4) fostering a deeper understanding of the interaction between environment and health. As the result, these benefits lead to more effective nursing care.
Conclusions: Having established relationships between universities, future efforts will focus on collaborative research and comparing populations, such as gerontological populations. This is the first stage in developing a strong sustainable collaboration. Positive responses from faculty and students indicates a positive response for nursing practice and education. We continue to share data and complete joint publications. This international collaboration helps enhance nursing abilities and achieve a better quality of care, by offering experiences that enhance a cross cultural perspectives including the strong association between the environment and health.