A Model for Building a Global Health Workforce through a Transatlantic Education Exchange

The Transatlantic Nursing Curriculum (TCN) was a project funded by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) in the United States and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) for European Partners between 2007-2012. The partners in this project expanded an existing relationship between Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland, Semmelweis University in Hungary and Nazareth College in the United States to prepare nurses with a global perspective through the development of a transatlantic dual-degree program. The major program goals were:

1. Preparation of a culturally competent international nursing workforce and globalization of the nursing workforce through educational experiences.

2. Creation of mechanisms for the exchange of undergraduate students majoring in nursing.

3. Development of a dual-degree model to facilitate the growth of the nursing workforce through the development of international nursing leadership with a global, transcultural perspective.

4. Dissemination of evidence-based practice standards for education that cross international boundaries.

This grant resulted in 26 students receiving dual-degrees, from Semmelweis University and from Nazareth College, which allows them to apply for practice in the European Union as well as in the United States.  An additional 32 students participated in a minimum of a full semester exchange, and there were 15 opportunities for faculty to be involved in teaching exchanges.

 Students from the European Union spent one full academic year in the United States and one semester at one of the partner schools in the consortium. The remainder of the academic program was spent in the home school.  Students were selected based on their GPA, application essay, willingness to expand learning styles and independence in study habits. The main challenge for EU students was the requirement of a liberal arts component while US students needed to conduct research and write an undergraduate thesis in addition to taking an oral exam.  All students consistently reported a “value added” educational experience.

 The administration of the hosting institution needed to be flexible and cooperative in working with each school’s program director and faculty in order to meet the criteria of accrediting bodies in both the EU and USA.

 Outcomes

• The major outcome of this project resulted in the creation of a sustainable program that confers baccalaureate degrees that qualify the graduate to sit for the licensing examination in the United States and permits employment in the European Union.
• An ongoing Memo of Understanding was signed between Laurea University and Nazareth College for the continuation of the program.  An additional 4 students received dual degrees and 4 are currently active.
• Teacher exchanges helped build the groundwork for an undergraduate Public Health program at Nazareth College and the continuation of a transatlantic collaboration for a Master’s in Public Health Nursing.