Role of research in reconstructing global healthcare for the 21st century.

Nursing as the largest healthcare discipline is central within every healthcare system worldwide. This centrality provides the unique opportunity and the express responsibility for the creation of new knowledge through research in reconstructing global healthcare in the 21st century. International nursing research requires collaboration among culturally diverse team members and data collection with multilingual participants. The critical role of ethical research is exemplified by the diverse cultural norms. Language translation of not only the words but also their meanings is paramount to the relevant application of the study results. Institutions and schools of nursing in developed countries must acknowledge and act on the opportunities available and necessary for global collaboration afforded through the technological resources of the 21st century. Clinical nursing scholars who are the expert care providers must be involved in the conduct and application of research if any reconstruction of global healthcare is to succeed.