Creating academic structures to promote nursing's role in global health policy

Abstract

Aim We highlight key components of emerging academic structures in global health nursing and explain how this investment can expand nursing's broader engagement in global health policy development. Background Engaging nursing in global health policy development is vital to ensure the scale‐up of effective health programmes. Globally, nurses promote development of interprofessional healthcare teams who are responsible for translating sound global health policy and evidence‐based programming into practice. However, the role of nurses within policy forums and on influential decision‐making bodies within the global health space remains limited, which reinforces suboptimal global health policy implementation. Introduction Investment in globally engaged academic structures is an important way to expand participation of nursing in global health policy development. Sources of evidence A review of the current knowledge and substantive findings related to academic structures promoting global health nursing was conducted, and included a directed search of institutional websites, related grey and peer‐reviewed literature, and communication with top‐tier schools of nursing in the United States, to identify specific developments in global health nursing academic structures. Discussion/Conclusion Effective academic structures promoting global health nursing include a framework of four critical components – Research, Education, Policy and Partnership. Academic structure type and core activities vary depending on institutional priorities. Implications for nursing, health and social policy Increasingly, global health research, driven by individual nursing investigators, is expanding; however, in order to translate these advances into expanded involvement in global health policy development, academic structures within schools of nursing need to systematically expand educational opportunities, bolster research capacity and promote partnership with policymakers.

The nursing profession in Sri Lanka: time for policy changes

“…There is a need for advancements in nursing education, practice, leadership, research, policy, and real work application, both locally and overseas (Gimbel et al. ). Globally, current reforms promote greater professionalization, university‐based education, optimal leadership and policy development, interdependence and interdisciplinary collaboration for health system and healthcare implementation and administration, local private/public partnerships, and international partnerships.…”

“…Addressing inequities and the resulting challenges requires expanded global health research, enhanced educational opportunities, and movement towards achievement of agreed upon global health competencies through strategic and sustainable international partnerships. There is a need for advancements in nursing education, practice, leadership, research, policy, and real work application, both locally and overseas (Gimbel et al 2017). Globally, current reforms promote greater professionalization, university-based education, optimal leadership and policy development, interdependence and interdisciplinary collaboration for health system and healthcare implementation and administration, local private/public partnerships, and international partnerships.…”

Systems leadership doctor of nursing practice: global relevance

“…Curriculum planning and design need to include concepts related to social accountability and primary health care. Gimbel et al (2017) urge academic institutions to invest in formal curricula structure utilizing a framework of research, education, policy and partnership to promote nursing engagement in global health policy development. Prepared as leaders with the ability to develop and influence health policies, the DNP has competencies to work collaboratively with governments, health and intersectoral partners to impact nursing practice and education worldwide.…”

Using social media to engage nurses in health policy development

“…A number of factors can encourage and support nurses to actively participate in the design and creation of health policy such as having positive role models, personal connections, undertaking research or further education, or gaining direct experience in strategy development (Gimbel, Kohler, Mitchell, & Emami, ; Spenceley, Reutter, & Allen, ). Information technology has been noted as another potential avenue to encourage nurses to participate in policy design, by enabling them to network and communicate with senior leaders and legislators (Taylor, ).…”

“…A number of factors can encourage and support nurses to actively participate in the design and creation of health policy such as having positive role models, personal connections, undertaking research or further education, or gaining direct experience in strategy development (Gimbel, Kohler, Mitchell, & Emami, 2017;Spenceley, Reutter, & Allen, (Taylor, 2016). DiChiacchio (2014) developed a website that was used by advanced practice nurses and students to communicate information to policy makers about the importance and value of their role.…”