Its been more than a decade now since the former Soviet Union went
from a socialist, to a democratic form of government. The United States
and other governments and citizens are involved in helping strengthen Russias
infrastructure, to include promoting better health for Russian citizens.
Halfway around the world, people in Omaha and Kearney are involved in
the effort.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing will host
eight Russian nurse leaders for a week as part of the Open World Program
of the Center for Russian Leadership Development at the U.S. Library of
Congress. Sheila Ryan, Ph.D., UNMC College of Nursing professor and Charlotte
Peck Lienemann & Alumni Distinguished Chair, is spearheading the visit.
The nurses will learn how nursing and civic organizations can work together
to improve health policy.
Nebraska is one of five sites in the U.S. to host a total of 40 Russian
nurse leaders Oct. 16-23. During the visit, theyll learn about the American
process of health policy, nurse training and education, professional development
and association-building. The Russians coming to Nebraska are from Samara,
in western Russia, located about 400 miles southeast of Moscow.
Dr. Ryan got involved in the project as a board member of the American
International Healthcare Alliance.
Before arriving in Nebraska, the nurse leaders will spend two days in
Washington, D.C., to learn about American culture and nursing leadership.
While in Nebraska, the nurse managers will spend time learning about local
and national nursing associations and about the role of nurses in the U.S.
They also will tour health care facilities, including hospitals and community
health care facilities, alcohol and drug treatment facilities, school-based
health programs and mental health facilities.
The weekend will be spent learning about the local economy, touring
cultural sites, and spending time with the host family.
The Open World Program of the Center for Russian Leadership Development
has provided more than 3,600 young Russian leaders a third of them women
a hands-on introduction to the institutions and practices of American-style
democracy and free enterprise.
The experience is intended to assist Russian leaders in building a strong
civil society. The visit encourages women to expand their leadership potential.
One of the goals of the program is building the capacity necessary for
Russian communities to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare services
to their citizens.
Dr. Ryan, colleagues and Nebraskans not only will share their knowledge
in Omaha and Kearney, but also their homes. Six nurses will stay in Omaha
and two in Kearney, hosted by Kate Nickel, Ph.D., assistant professor,
UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division.
Im excited because I love the international exchange, Dr. Nickel
said. The opportunity gives one the chance to suspend disbelief and learn.
There’s nothing like it.
Dr. Ryan said the focus of the visit is on leadership, nursing education
and practice, and how civic and health services organizations and policy
can work together to improve the health of communities. After the dissolve
of the former socialist state in Moscow, the government has gone from highly
centralized government, to a decentralized one, with each community taking
control of its own infrastructure, Dr. Ryan said.
We want to share with them the benefits of integrating their health,
education and local government components to benefit the community, she
said. We also want to share with them what we know about the linkages
and using policy to mobilize and influence better funding for health programs
in the community.
Dr. Ryan said the experience also will be valuable to UNMC.
Were proud to have been selected as a site for Russian nurses to learn
about leadership and civic and organizational influence to improve health
care, Dr. Ryan said. Most importantly, it helps those of us living in
Nebraska realize first hand that we are citizens in a global community
with responsibilities to respect, learn from and offer assistance to one
another.
During the visit, Russian nurse managers will meet with city and county
health officials, as well as observe common nursing roles in the U.S.,
that aren’t so common in Russia, such as nurse practitioner and community
health nurse. They also will learn about nursing education, distance nursing
education, nursing scholarship, publishing journals, and applying for grants.
“Women play an integral role in efforts to build a civil society, Dr.
Ryan said. Their professional organizations are new; we have much to share
about how they can influence health and educational policy, patient care
standards and health outcomes in communities.
Other organizations participating in the exchange are Sigma Theta
Tau International, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the International
Council of Nurses and the nursing unit of the World Health Organization
(WHO).