Online Program

291545
International nurse faculty partnership initiative (INFPI): The regis college Haiti project


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Nancy Street, ScD, PNP, BC, School of Nursing, Science and Health Professions, Regis College, Weston, MA
Purpose: Regis College has implemented an advanced education program for nursing faculty in Haiti in conjunction with international partners. The program addresses the acute nursing faculty shortage in Haiti and aims to improve the overall quality of nursing education and care. Research confirms that nurses prepared at the baccalaureate or higher degree level have significantly better patient care outcomes. This program is designed to enhance the education and credentials of Haitian faculty who will lead in the advancement of nursing education in Haiti. Methods: The Regis College program is the initial implementation of a master's program in nursing education for select Haitian nursing faculty. Evaluation of the project is two-fold, examining both implementation and impact. Measures for the former include enrollment/attrition rates, course evaluations. Impact will be assessed using surveys from key stake holders, including deans, affiliated health professionals and administrators. Results: The faculty enrolled in the master's program practice concurrently as nursing faculty in Haiti, utilizing their new knowledge and skills to enhance the education of Haitian nurses. These nursing faculty are central to the education of over 1,100 nursing students enrolled in accredited nursing schools. Improving education of these faculty and future nursing faculty has an exponential impact on the overall quality of nursing care in Haiti. Conclusions: Upon graduation from this master's program, the first cohort of Haitian faculty will lead the institutionalization of the master's program in Haiti for all future nursing faculty. Regis College has committed to educate and mentor three cohorts of Haitian faculty.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify steps for the development and delivery of a international nurse faculty partnership. Discuss the complexities of instituting a graduate course of study for nurses in a developing nation, including understanding governmental structures and higher education systems. Demonstrate an understanding of the steps for negotiating with government officials and higher education administrators in advancing nursing education in a developing nation.

Keyword(s): Sustainability, Nursing Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the executive director of the Regis College Haiti Project, an international faculty partnership funded by the Clinton Bush Fund and supported by Partners in Health. I hold a doctor of science degree in public health and have worked for the past six years developing this partnership. I have been a nurse for over 30 years and been on the faculty of Regis College for the past ten years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.