Nancy White Street1, Laura Bermudez, Alexis Lawton, Donna Barry, Leslie Mandel. 1. Author Affiliations: Professor (Dr Street), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston; and Professor (Drs Street and Mandel), External Evaluator (Ms Bermudez), Program Director (Ms Lawton), and Assistant Professor (Ms Barry), Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Global partnerships amplify nursing leadership capacity in low-resource countries through targeted education efforts. PURPOSE: We examined a nursing faculty partnership between US and Haitian universities, where Haitian faculty completed graduate-level degrees highlighting leadership and education. This marked the first time a Haitian university awarded a master's of nursing degree. METHODS: Longitudinal qualitative research data collection included interviews and observations among 28 participants. Recurrent cross-sectional analysis explored themes and perceived changes in leadership behaviors. RESULTS: Advanced professional stature, leadership as a nurse educator and in the clinical setting, transformational leadership, and challenges to leadership practice were key themes. Graduate nursing education resulted in an improved vision of nursing, increased perceptions of leadership capacities, and advanced management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This partnership led to an Office of Nursing Education at the State University of Haiti, a milestone in the advancement of nursing in this low-resource country.
BACKGROUND: Global partnerships amplify nursing leadership capacity in low-resource countries through targeted education efforts. PURPOSE: We examined a nursing faculty partnership between US and Haitian universities, where Haitian faculty completed graduate-level degrees highlighting leadership and education. This marked the first time a Haitian university awarded a master's of nursing degree. METHODS: Longitudinal qualitative research data collection included interviews and observations among 28 participants. Recurrent cross-sectional analysis explored themes and perceived changes in leadership behaviors. RESULTS: Advanced professional stature, leadership as a nurse educator and in the clinical setting, transformational leadership, and challenges to leadership practice were key themes. Graduate nursing education resulted in an improved vision of nursing, increased perceptions of leadership capacities, and advanced management strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This partnership led to an Office of Nursing Education at the State University of Haiti, a milestone in the advancement of nursing in this low-resource country.