The globalization of nursing knowledge

Professional responsibility and decision-making in the context of a disease-focused model of nursing care: The difficulties experienced by Spanish nurses

When, in 1977, nurse education in Spain was transferred to universities a more patient-centred, the Anglo-American philosophy of care was introduced into a context in which nurses had traditionally prioritised their technical skills. This paper examines the characteristics of the nurse's professional role in Spain, where the model of nursing practice has historically placed them in a position akin to that of physician assistants. The study design was qualitative and used the method of analytic induction. Participants were selected by means of theoretical sampling and then underwent in-depth interviews. The resulting material was analysed using an approach based on the principles of grounded theory. Strategies were applied to ensure the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability of the findings. The main conclusion is that nurses in Spain continue to work within a disease-focused model of care, making it difficult for them to take responsibility for decision-making.

Research nurse or nurse researcher: How much value is placed on research undertaken by nurses?

The argument for evidence-based nursing practice informed by research has placed nursing research capacity-building firmly on the agenda. Despite the recognition of the need for sustainable sources of funding, the emphasis has remained on NHS R&D undertaken by doctor, supported by other professions such as nurses. Indeed, it is common for nurses to be employed in the role of research assistant or data collector, under the supervision of a doctor. The titles ‘Research Nurse’ and ‘Nurse Researcher’ are used interchangeably and this paper highlights the distinction between the two, the requirements of their posts, reasons why nurses may become involved in research and the difficulties that this may entail. We draw attention to the expectations of the research training that first-level nurses receive, the assumption that it results in them being research competent, and the implications for the status of nursing research. Investment in research capacity-building needs to be reflected in the organisation and infrastructure of academic departments and NHS trusts. Joint, long-term educator/practitioner/researcher appointees are required to facilitate the nurseorientated research necessary to inform the increasing demands on practice. If the practice of nursing, midwifery and health visiting is to be underpinned by a scientific evidence-base specific to its own needs, it is necessary to foster an environment conducive to reflection on practice and cultivation of ideas.

The impact of economic recession on health-care and the contribution by nurses to promote individuals' dignity

The health sector is facing many challenges, and there is a need to maintain the delivery of high-quality health-care. Issues related to equity and access to health-care have emerged in a context of an economic recession in which the sustainability of the health system depends on everyone, including the actions and decisions of professionals. Therefore, nurses and their skills may be the answer to ethical, professional and community health management, but this recession could lead to major problems in the education of nurses in daily health-care practice. Due to the limited availability of resources, nurses are increasingly taking leadership positions, continuing to develop their critical abilities and thinking skills, and considering sciences such as deontology and ethics. The main goals of this study were to reflect on the economic recession and its impact on health-care and to demonstrate the contribution of nursing to the sustainability of health-care and in the promotion of individuals' dignity. The authors conclude that health-care depends on economic redistribution and, in this context, needs to be equitable and fair. Nurses have the responsibility to develop their profession according to the underlying sciences and can therefore strategically help the healthcare system.

The relevance of globalization to nursing: a concept analysis

BACKGROUND

This paper emerged alongside the development of learning materials for a new unit of study on global health and nursing. The proposed unit was for inclusion in a graduate entry master of nursing course leading to registration. It became evident that there has been growing attention within the nursing literature to the demands of an increasingly globalized world and the subsequent challenges confronting nursing as a profession. At the same time, the literature is inconsistent and contains mixed messages with regard to how nurses and nursing might respond to these challenges.

AIM

This paper aims to (i) present the findings of a narrative analysis of the current nursing discourse on globalization, and (ii) to identify directional cohesiveness for the nursing profession in the seemingly disparate literature.

METHOD

Concept analysis following extensive literature review.

FINDINGS

Several nursing authors argue that nurses globally are increasingly sharing concerns expressed by nurses at a local level. Concerns such as the future sustainability of the profession and more specifically practice concerns such as the continuing failure of nurses to adequately deal with social justice issues requires careful consideration by every nurse. While strategies recommended for dealing with these concerns lack a cohesive thread, some interesting themes and innovative recommendations have emerged. For example, the need for nurses to consider replacing environmental considerations with ecological considerations and that nurses consider preventative nursing practice beyond the immediate needs of clients and from a more global perspective.

The imperative of human obesity: an ethical reflection

Good health for all has become an accepted international goal. Arguably there have been broad gains in life expectancy over the past century. However, the escalating epidemic of adult obesity, estimated at more than 1 billion worldwide, has become a major public health concern. Obesity affects people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is invariably perceived as a product of biological, psychological and social conditions, thereby casting aside its ethical imperatives. Without undermining the role of medicine in managing obesity, this article proposes to discuss the need for nurses to consider relevant ethical principles when supporting people with obesity.

Creating international conference submission and review guidelines to facilitate transnational dialogue

Globally, nurses have much knowledge to share and the increased calls for conference presentation abstracts reflect this. However, a recent literature review revealed no guidelines for presentation submission and review processes for international nursing conferences. During the past decade, one conference, the U.S.-Russian Conference Cruise, has used evaluation data from each conference to shape its submission and review processes in a way that promotes transnational dialogue during the conference. The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges and evolution of designing submission and review processes that support the goal of a scholarly program of intercultural exchange.

International Content of High‐Ranking Nursing Journals in the Year 2000

PURPOSE

To evaluate the extent of an international perspective in publication in nursing journals.

DESIGN

Characteristics of 2,581 articles, authors of articles, and journals (editorial purpose and editorial team) of 42 high-ranking nursing journals for the year 2000 were analyzed.

METHODS

The characteristics were assessed using seven operational definitions of "international."

FINDINGS

Major findings were: (a) 747 (28.9%) articles were identified as international, of which (b) 705 (94.3%) were placed in the scholarly or empirical categories; (c) more articles were categorized as empirical in the international articles; more articles were categorized as scholarly among the noninternational articles; (d) 763 (79.3%) articles met an international definition based on author characteristics; and (e) 20 (47.6%) journals had international editorial teams.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 30% of articles had international content. Articles with international content were more frequently databased than were noninternational articles. The study provides a baseline indication of the extent of international perspectives in published articles in nursing journals. The extent to which these international articles make substantial contributions to knowledge has yet to be discovered.