Scaling up the global nursing health workforce: Contributions of an international organization

• Published in: Collegian (Royal College of Nursing, Australia) Australia), 2009-01, Vol.16 (1), p.41-45
• Main Authors: Rukholm, Ellen E., Stamler, Lynnette Leeseberg, Talbot, Lise R., Bednash, Geraldine (Polly), Raines, Fay, Potempa, Kathleen, Nugent, Pauline, Macleod Clark, Dame Jill, Bernhauser, Sue, Parfitt, Barbara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Congresses as Topic; Cooperative Behavior; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - organization & administration; Global Health; Global nursing education leading practices policy; Health Services Needs and Demand - organization & administration; Humans; International Agencies - organization & administration; Labour force; Medical education; Nursing; Nursing Staff - education; Nursing Staff - supply & distribution; Occupational health and safety; Organizational Objectives; Personnel Selection - organization & administration; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling - organization & administration; Scaling; Societies, Nursing - organization & administration
• ISSN: 1322-7696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colegn.2009.01.001

In this paper key highlights of the scholarly work presented at the Toronto 2008 Global Alliance for Nursing Education & Scholarship (GANES) conference are summarized, challenges opportunities and issues facing nursing education globally arising from the conference discourse are outlined and initial steps are suggested as a way forward to a shared global view of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education and scholarship. This shared view arises from beginning understandings of the issues and opportunities we face globally starting with and building upon the lessons learned from the literature and from the experiences of nursing educators and nursing education organization locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The theme of the groundbreaking GANES Toronto conference was “Educating the future nursing and health workforce: A global challenge”. One hundred seventy delegates from 17 countries attended the event, with over 80 papers presented. A primary focus of GANES is the contribution of a strategic alliance of national nursing education organizations to contribute to nursing education leading practices and policy that address the scaling up of global nursing and health workforce. The founding members of GANES see a clear link between a strong educational infrastructure and strong scholarship activities in nursing and the ability of a society to be healthy and prosperous. Evidence presented at the recent GANES conference supports that belief. Through the strength of partnerships and other capacity-building efforts, member countries can support each other to address the global nursing education and health challenges while respecting the local issues.