Perhaps, nurses in the international arena and in United States undertake various roles. In fact, nurses’ roles internationally and in United States take place in different fields, which include professional advocacy, evidence-based care, as well as policy development. The challenges and improvement in technology has let to blending of evidence and programs in United States and internationally. Additionally, the globalization of nursing practice implies a change in international policies and issues related nursing professions. These moves will not only allow nurses to provide reliable services, but also share ideas and skills. This is achieved through nurses’ involvement in policy development, evidence-based care, and professional advocacy.
Evidence-based care incorporates the best research skill in the nursing field; it entails both academic and practical expertise, which integrates research evidence and patient values. The role of nurses in delivering evidence-based care is universal and, therefore, incorporates nurses in United States and internationally. In fact, nurses always use findings from research to support interventions, data collection, as well as evaluation in undertaking patient care roles. Evidence-based care is very rigorous, and its main goal is to endow practicing nurses with data that are based on the evidence to deliver efficient and effective care. Some of these goals include problem solving, excellent care delivery, assurance on quality standards, and introduction of innovative skills (Trudi & Smith, 2004).
In United States, the role of nurses in delivering evidence-based care is carried out under STTI (Stigma Theta Tau International), which is aimed at humanizing the health care of people in United States. This is achieved through rigorous increase in scientific research among nurses. In the role of nurses, therefore, is to utilize the best evidence that is available, as well as researching for more evidence in delivering health care to patients. Additionally, STTI advocates for nursing expertise, as well as preferences and values in United States. Moreover, role of nurses in evidence-based care is to focus on accessibility of information.
On the other hand, STTI is also useful in international evidence based care among nurses. It underlay’s, strategic plan aimed at key alliances, and global collaborating; this strengthens the corporation among nurses in delivering its roles. Other role of nurses in delivering evidence-based care is to integrate patient values, deliver quality work under clinical expertise, as well as undertake best research evidence (Trudi & Smith, 2004). Generally, the achievement of best evidence-based care in United States and internationally comes through proper training of nurses who will independently appraise, apply, and find the best evidence.
Undeniably, there is a new transition in the delivery of health care in the world. Various global economic, political, and social issues necessitate the nurses’ involvement in policymaking. Nurses in internationally and in United States have various roles in delivering policy development. Various issues determine the nursing care given to families, individuals and community; they include legislation, policy, and politics. The role of nurses in evidence-health care policy is to advance the outcomes in public health. Policy development in nursing can take place at international level, national level, local level, and within the state. Another role of nurses is to implement the unavoidable management policies on patient-focused issues (Hartley & Ellis, 2004).
Nurses’ role in policy development can be contributed through nursing processes. These processes include leader, advocate, and change agent. In this case, nurses through leadership act as role models to the community of student planners, in mobilizing related organization to access reform and resources of health policy. This develops the competence in policy development in United States and internationally (Hartley & Ellis, 2004). Additionally, in the process of policy development nurses become the agents of their own, so that no organizations or individuals speck of their behalf. Nevertheless, nurses present evidence-based information that will help in policy development. In the international arena, nurses act as collaborators in order to gain professional excellence in policy development.
It is of great importance to mention the barriers that prevent nurses in policy development. Globally, people still perceive nursing to be a female-oriented profession. These is actually the case, female nurses still dominate leading to much reluctance to be part of the political arena in policy development process. In addition, there is wide variation in nursing training in terms of timeframe, this affects policy formation and implementation. Education and minimal research have been undertaken in the field of policy management.
Another role of nurses concerns the delivery of professional advocacy, both internationally and in United States. Certainly, organizations of professional nursing support the responsibility of the nurse advocate within various levels of nursing. For decades, nursing advocacy and professionalism has suffered the impacts of political powerlessness. This affects the support between nurses in the field. Professional advocacy is the core factor in the nursing practice (Hartley & Ellis, 2004). Many nurses in the globe offer this advocacy role, as well as putting into consideration the well-being of their patients. The role of nurses in professional advocacy is to promote the provision of ethical and appropriate care, advocate for changes in nursing and client care, collaborate and communicate with health care practitioners on patient care, as well as helping clients on health care systems.
Effective professional advocacy begins at the community level. Additionally role of nurses in professional advocacy in United States is to undertake advanced degree in the field of nursing, providing cooperation in AIHA (American International Health Alliance), and emphasizing on transformational leadership. Internationally, nurses are expected to be part of multidisciplinary field where by professional skills in advocacy is required to overcome global barriers. Furthermore, being part of professional transformation, organizational strategist, and good leadership is among the international roles of nurses in delivering professional advocacy. In this case, nurses need to respect each other, especially nursing leaders (Trudi & Smith, 2004).
The world today is becoming interdependent and connects through advanced technology. In taking nursing leadership in the international arena, one must be educated and well interconnected in various fields. This begins with proper educational training, concentration in international role, as well as incorporating experience. Internationally, nurses have an opportunity to utilize their experience and expertise in the provision of health care. In internationally nursing leadership is different because it requires proper acquisition of diverse cultural competences. Additionally, the educational preparedness is not available in the local arena; hence, one needs to go further and be involved in global healthcare preparation.
Hartley, C & Ellis, J. (2004). Nursing in Today’s World: Trends, Issues & Management.
London: Lippincott & Wilkins
Trudi, J & Smith, P. (2004) Shaping the Facts: Evidence-based Nursing and Health Care.
Philadelphia: Livingstone
