Changing times—Changing nations

Changing times—Changing nations

InterndtionalAfairs Changing T Times- HE EFFECTS of a political philosophy on the idenl.fdlf ti ie ro e o nurses- and relevant --’ nursmg education ...

136KB Sizes 2 Downloads 153 Views

InterndtionalAfairs Changing T

Times-

HE EFFECTS of a political philosophy on the idenl.fdlf ti ie ro e o nurses- and relevant --’ nursmg education presents itself in stark reality following political change and uncertainty. These changes demand rethinking and restructuring nursing’s infrastructure and projected roles for nursing within the new system. Previously unique situations become common ones as coups, uncertain government policies, and changing power structures demand redefining the health care policies of newly and hastily formed nations and their accompanying nursing infrastructures, eg, when a highly developed society is to be absorbed into a huge, slowly developing one, with the latter clearly in command, as with China and Hong Kong in 1997; when political regimes and power are in constant flux, as for example, the USSR and the evolving Commonwealth of Independent States, and Yugoslavia; and when priority global health concerns, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, create the urgent call for action and immediate answers needed to meet the problem. Countries of the Far East have received increasing media attention and interest throughout the Western world over the past decade. The focus of the attention is primarily trade and economics; however quality-of-life issues associated with developing countries are preoccupying the residents of each of the more-developed developing countries, ie, Japan and the “Little Dragons” consisting of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Recently, I spent time consulting in a large Little Dragon country, Hong Kong. One of the terms of reference for consultation was to make recommendations for planning and implementing health nursing education that is in transition toward the year 1997, when the United Kingdom relinquishes political control of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China. During the consultation activities it became apparent that during these times of political uncertainties, which is almost a daily occurrence, the need for global planning among our community of professional nurses must take a higher priority than ever before. Nurses involved in health care planning are constantly faced with a call for the development of human resources to meet the global health goals of the 2 1st century. This need is indeed becoming central to health care plans in most countries of the world and especially so for those with changing infrastructures and new political regimes. To provide meaningful and relevant recommendations to any government and its nursing constituencies, the international consultant must first recognize that the uncertainty of the country’s political and economic infrastructure profoundly affects the sub-culture of nursing practice and roles of women, so much so that many losses of previous

140

Changing

Nations

gains must be endured by the country’s nursing infrastructure. We must be aware that it is then that the health care system presents itself as a diverse and unique one that is attempting to accommodate the changing political system as best it can, and that often only the very basic dimensions of nursing practice roles and educational programs remain intact. It is during these times that the astute consultant quickly finds that it is impossible to talk about nursing practice and plans for nursing educational programs without delving headlong into studying and understanding the country’s changed political and philosophical stance. To help put nursing in perspective during these periods of change, it is helpful to view nursing in the particular country in a global health care context. Given this, it seems that the most efficient and relevant work of the consultant begins with acquainting oneself thoroughly with the country and/or region’s health care system, and then to provide consultation and assistance in developing short- and longterm strategic planning for nursing roles and educational programs. When conceptual and operational definitions are agreed on, they must be presented in a clear, well-defined manner before the recommendations can be submitted to the political and planning bodies of the country’s health care system. The short-term strategic plan may be the most important and most difficult aspect of the recommendations because the transition period requires care to maintain the status of professional nursing practice and to promote an acceptable level of nursing education that will accommodate the highest standards of caring practices the health system will bear. The final nursing note to these changing times and changing nations is to remember that the talent of local nursing leaders and educators will be used best if the consultant assists in working toward the unification of nursing as a profession and to augment and support the collaborative efforts of the collective. Morale is often low during these periods of dramatic change; however, they provide a time for nurses to unite and step forward with insights that contribute to the country’s health care reforms and to promote a more efficient and appropriate use of highly skilled and well-educated nurses. JOAN E. UHL, PHD, RN, FAAN Amciate Dean for Academic Affairs Director of Graduate Studies

SchoolofNursing

UniwrGty of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel HilL. NC 27599-7460

Copyright 0 1992 by W.B. Saunders Company 8755-7223/92/0803-0002$03.00/0

Jotlrnal of Professsionai Nwsing,

Vol 8, No 3 (May-June),

1992:

p 140