Director of International Nursing Center Meets With Nursing Professionals From Romania, Albania and Macedonia
| As a summer intern at The American Nurses Association, I had the privilege of participating in a discussion of professional nursing practice. The participants included: Cheryl Peterson, director of the International Nursing Center at the ANA and several nurses holding leadership positions in their home countries of Romania, Albania and Macedonia. |
Tamara Cyhan, BSN, RN (left) and Brenda Jeffers, PhD, RN (right) participated in the 1st Annual Center for Ethics and Human Rights Summer Intern Program, July-August, 2000. |
The nurses were accompanied by Dr. Stephanie Wright, professor of nursing at Georgetown University, where the visiting nurses are taking 12 credits of nursing course work.
The program was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and for the first time included nurses. Several key issues surfaced through discussion. The main issues included credentialing, education and professional organizations.
The visiting nurses hold positions in their home countries known to the nursing profession in America as charge nurse, staffing coordinator and nursing supervisor. Each nurse briefly described her position and responsibilities. The visitors demonstrated a professional attitude and desire to further nursing in their home countries. They were eager to learn about the system developed in the United States.
Each visitor was asked about the credentials required for practice in her country. A nursing license was usually required, but standardized examination and continuing education credits for renewal were not incorporated into the systems. The education requirements varied from a high school equivalent nursing program to specialized training at a selective nursing school. Presently, nursing is not studied at the university level and instruction is delivered primarily by physicians. Also, advanced practice nursing is non-existent in these countries.
Professional organizations are of great interest to the visiting nurses. The countries represented do have the equivalent of a professional nursing organization. Most of the groups are very new. Albania's professional organization is only a year old. The visiting nurses requested advice related to distribution of organization information and funding required to meet the needs of the members. Each country's representatives expressed interest in forming a partnership with the United States and engaging in information exchange and support. Everyone present at the discussion agreed that all parties would benefit greatly from such an exchange.
Today's experience was empowering to the nursing profession. Glancing around the room, I saw the eyes and smiles of motivated, enthusiastic individuals who were eager to learn and advance the profession of nursing in their home countries. It was a privilege to participate in this special experience.