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Mary Opare Ph. D, MN, BA, Dip. ED, Cert. Mid, RN, FWACN, STTI Mu Sigma.
Head of Department.
Central University, Ghana
Patricia Ukaigwe, DNP, CNE, RN-BC, CPN, FWACN.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Henry P. Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health
Fairleigh Dickenson University, Teaneck.
Carnegie African Diaspora Program invites higher educational institutions that are accredited in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa to submit a project proposal to host an African –born scholar who lives and works in a college or university in the United State or Canada. A Nursing scholar from the Central University, Ghana, and an African Nursing scholar from Fairleigh Dickinson University, submitted a proposal to develop a research Masters Curriculum, to run Master’s Degree in nursing in Ghana. This was crucial because many diploma awarding nursing Institutions have converted into degree awarding ones. The only masters program in nursing at the University of Ghana is unable to meet the demand for graduates to function as faculty in the converted nursing institutions as well as new institutions cropping up from the private sector. Thus there is an acute shortage of Masters Prepared Nurses to function as faculty .There are situations where institutions have been given accreditation by the National Accreditation Board to run nursing programs but due to lack of faculty, they are unable to roll out the programs. In addition, graduate nurses are needed in evidence-based practice to conduct research into practice at the same time, many nurses are eager to enhance their education in administration and Community services. The lack of nursing faculty in education and training affects the current and future of nursing specifically in Ghana, sub-Saharan Africa and the world at large.
The project proposal went through rigorous test and finally, the project request and the scholar application were found to match and therefore selected for Funding. The Fellow arrived in Ghana in December, 2014.
Methodology:
The Diaspora Scholar met with Central University key people, this was followed by examining the format for developing graduate program in Central University. Familiarization tours to health facilities and Educational Institutions including, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana and Tema General Hospital took place.
There were two stakeholders meeting, one on arrival and another one for debriefing. The first stakeholders meeting was to create a common vision, foster collaboration, derive objectives for the curriculum and to establish stakeholders support for the Initiative.
After needs assessment goals and objectives were set and documented. The sequencing of courses was also considered and Educational strategies were outlined and courses developed with internal consistency, objectives, content, learning activities, methods of delivery, evaluation and reading text. The important issue was designing the curriculum to mirror Central University’s mission and philosophy statement.
Results:
Central University met its obligation in cost-share for hosting the Fellow. The Fellow in collaboration with Faculty of Central University, other stake holders like practicing nurses, students, members of the Civil society, Ministry of Health and National Accreditation Board Officials, produced a working Masters Curriculum within the stipulated time. The exercise enhanced the experience of all participants in curriculum development. The document serves as a guideline for developing other graduate nursing tracks such as advanced practice nurse on focus areas in Central University and in other institutions. The opportunity serves as a gateway for further faculty collaboration for research, students exchange programs between Central University and the Fellow’s institution which is Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The purpose of this presentation is to describe the process, challenges and lessons learned working together.