Stepping Outside Our National boundaries: International Active Learning Educational Collaboration Event

Background/Introduction: The recent pandemic and the increasing complexity of global issues illustrate that collaborative solutions are essential to education and healthcare as we move forward in the 21st century. (WHO 2018). In many countries, nurse practitioners function autonomously to increase access to healthcare. In the face of the increasing global health needs and the documented effectiveness of nurse practitioner care, expanding nursing and advanced practice nursing education is key to improving health care outcomes (Chavez et al. 2017). Cultural competence and understanding of healthcare needs around the globe make it essential for us to step outside our national physical boundaries.

Purpose: Nursing and advanced nursing education differ from country to country, as does the advanced practice nurse's role. This international active learning program aspires to help students better understand their role in global citizenship and increase their awareness of social, cultural, and political differences affecting health disparities. This program aims to engage students from the United States, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Wales in a series of International Advanced Practice Nursing Collaborative Events to discuss the variations in the advanced practice role, the healthcare system, NP education, professional challenges, and public health challenges in their respective countries

Methods or Processes/Procedures: The international active learning events involves recorded online discussions, clinical case presentations by advanced practice students, and a faculty presentation.

Results: Students demonstrated an increased understanding of national and international issues.

Limitations: This event depends on student participation and technology. Student attendance and participation are voluntary and vary.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The global focus will enhance students' understanding of social, cultural, and ethical differences (Wu et al. 2020) that impact health care outcomes. Collaborative Partnerships can contribute to the development of leadership (Rosser et al., 2017) and provide opportunities for shared expertise, work experience, and resources to strengthen education, healthcare practice, and research among members of institutional partners (Gursoy, 2020).

Carole Mackavey
DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Houston, TX

Biography

Dr. Carole Mackavey is the Master's Program Coordinator and the Post Master's Nursing Education Track Coordinator at the Cizik School of Nursing of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and has been a Family Nurse Practitioner actively involved in advanced nursing practice for 20 years. Dr. Mackavey is interested in competency-based education, gamification strategies to enhance student engagement and stimulate critical thinking, simulation modalities to improve clinical knowledge and skill proficiency, and developing curriculum and measurement approaches for advanced nurse practice education. Her clinical interests include chronic disease management and improving access to care for vulnerable populations.

Email: Carole.l.Mackavey@uth.tmc.edu

Co-Author(s)
Tammy Stout, DNP,APRN, ACNP-BC