THE TRANSATLANTIC NURSING CURRICULUM PROJECT (TCN)- AN INNOVATION IN GLOBAL EDUCATION FOR THE NURSING WORKFORCE

The overarching goal of this project expanding a collaborative initiative between Semmelweis University in Hungary, Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Nazareth College in Rochester, New York was to improve global health by preparing nurses with a global perspective.

Health is a global concern. Diseases cross international boundaries, as do health care providers. Many health outcomes are shaped by interactions between providers and care recipients whose nationality or ethnicity do not match. There is a worldwide shortage of nurses and international nursing groups are calling for a trans-cultural approach to nursing practice. Moreover, the International Council of Nurses notes, "International recognition of nursing diplomas, post-basic studies or degrees is not yet widely established. This may be a source of frustration for nurses emigrating to work or to pursue educational programmes." International collaboration will play a key role in improving health care and addressing critical issues in the nursing workforce. The TCN project has created exactly the type of programmes called for by the International Council of Nursing.
These nurses are prepared to provide culturally competent care.

The major outcome of the project was the development of a transatlantic dual-degree program. Specifically, the major goals of the program were:
•Prepare a culturally competent international nursing workforce.
•Create mechanisms for the exchange of undergraduate students majoring in nursing.
•Develop a dual-degree model to facilitate the growth of the nursing workforce by developing international nursing leadership with a global, trans-cultural perspective.
The worldwide nursing shortage has created the need for an innovative program that harnesses the enthusiasm of students wishing to pursue a global education. Our program, jointly funded by the United States Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) and the European Commission on Higher Education graduated the first nurses with dual-degrees from the European Union and the United States with a major in nursing in spring 2010.
The proposed dual degree program is aimed at providing a joint solution meeting global challenges and to integrate the improvement of the professional competencies with the society's demands for better global health. The diploma awarded is recognized both in the United States of America and the European Union, It qualifies its holder to attend the same tasks. The program granting three degrees was offered by the three institutions together. At the conclusion of the program, each graduate receives 2 degrees: the American (BS with a major in Nursing) and the Finnish/Hungarian (BSc in Nursing) degrees. The final curriculum developed for students during the international mobility period was carefully crafted by an international faculty working collaboratively. Each project partner contributed a unique perspective to the education of students. This allowed the final outcome of the curriculum to be a "whole that was greater than the sum of its parts".