| Learning Objective #1: Describe the benefit of a sister school relationship in promoting globalizaiton of nursing | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify the components of an evidence-based sister school relationship |
The World Health Organization has issued a call for mandates to address health conditions in the least developed countries persisting at levels that are so limiting and destructive of human potential…as to be unacceptable to the global community. WHO is asking that individuals address these problems with “new approaches…new partnerships.” One answer to the WHO plea is the development of an evidenced-based “Hermanamiento” Sisterschool partnership that can also serve as a model others may adopt. The “Hermanamiento” (Sisterschool) was an evidence-based project that developed as a result of an intensive health needs assessment in Nicaragua. This project was one outgrowth of an invitation by the Nicaraguan government to a Pittsburgh, PA, USA, group of health care professionals and Duquesne University School of Nursing to assess critical country needs and establish a collaborative partnership program between the two countries. Following a thorough in-country assessment conducted by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health and members of Duquesne University School of Nursing an evidenced-based Sisterschool partnership was developed which consisted of a two-phase nursing education project. Phase I consisted of a five-week continuing education course for 21 Nicaraguan nurses at Duquesne University. The “Train the Trainer” model was utilized during the intensive five-week program at Duquesne University. Phase II consisted of in-country continuing education courses, ongoing consultation, and activities to benefit both partners. The evidence-based collaboration goals were established to: (1) assist Nicaraguan nurses in a continuing development of a comprehensive health care system; (2) improve service delivery at the municipal level; and (3) address critical health care problems as identified by the nurses of the Nicaraguan Health Ministry. Through this and future activities, both schools hope to strengthen the "Hermanamiento" sister school partnership concept to provide a working model that may be replicated by others with appropriate modification for cultural differences and needs.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
9 July 2003