Use of Joint Commission International standards to evaluate and improve pediatric oncology nursing care in Guatemala.

Background: Inadequate nursing care is a major impediment to development of effective programs for treatment of childhood cancer in low-income countries. When the International Outreach Program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital established partner sites in low-income countries, few nurses had pediatric oncology skills or experience.

A sustainable model for pediatric oncology nursing education in low-income countries.

Effectiveness of a nurse educator in the pediatric oncology unit in Guatemala was assessed by measuring completion of an education course, chemotherapy and central line competency, continuing education, and cost. All newly hired nurses completed the education course. Of the nurses employed, 86% participated in the chemotherapy course, and 93% achieved competency; 57% participated in the central line course, and 79% achieved competency.

Predictors of success for Saudi Arabian students enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate degree program in nursing in the United States.

In the mid 1980s, a professional nursing education program was initiated between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. Based on a perceived and documented need, a collaborative education and research program was established with George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, to begin building a community of new scholars to assist in the advancement of professional nursing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Four cohorts of Saudi citizens from three institutions (King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia National Guard Hospital, and Ministry of Aviation and Defense Hospital), who held a degree in science or a related field, were enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

The global network of WHO Collaborating Centres for nursing and midwifery development: a policy approach to health for all through nursing and midwifery excellence.

In response to the complexities of health services delivery within the context of cultures, world events, medical technologies, and natural and manmade disasters, WHO recognized the need for external resources to assist it to meet its goals. In line with WHO's policy that research in the field of health is best advanced by assisting, coordinating and utilizing the activities of existing institutions, WHO Collaborating Centres were developed to support WHO with external expertise at the local, country and international levels. Of the 1,000 Collaborating Centres worldwide representing all the major health disciplines, 36, in 19 different countries, are dedicated to nursing and midwifery services, education, research and policy.

International rural health needs and services research: a nursing and midwifery response.

As the importance of evidence-based practice in global health care increases, the need for constant, accurate feedback from those in practice is critical, yet the requirement to rapidly obtain and disseminate data on a global basis is a challenge for all health professionals. The Internet allows for global participation in data collection that dramatically streamlines the traditional survey process. This new paradigm applies to surveys that are short, issue focused, and time sensitive.

Technical innovations in international e-nursing.

Saudi Arabia faces a severe shortage of nurses. An online nursing degree is being introduced as one approach to this problem. In 1999, the College of Nursing and Health Science at George Mason University formed a strategic partnership with IMED Link, a private telehealth company, to deliver online nursing education.