The American Academy of Nursing to welcome International Fellow members

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• Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN

The American Academy of Nursing is committed to engaging nurses and other health professionals in our quest to improve policy and nursing practice. Our Expert Panel on Global Nursing and Health, chaired by Marlene M. Rosenkoetter, PhD, RN, FAAN, authored a White Paper on Global Nursing and Health that has brought international nursing issues to the forefront. The authors explore several aspects of the global nurse shortage and its impact in healthcare delivery as well as policy-based and other solutions proposed by the World Health Organization, the International Council of Nurses, and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Representatives from the panel have presented the White Paper at several international conferences. Additionally, the paper encourages the Academy to “take a leadership role in the generation of realistic models directed toward viable solutions to the global nursing agenda and foster dialogue with nurse leaders worldwide with whom we share commonalities.” The Academy’s Board of Directors is working with the Global Nursing and Health Expert Panel to address their recommendations.

Under the leadership of Carole Kenner, DNS, RNC, FAAN, Secretary of the AAN Board, the Bylaws Committee completed its task of exploring options for including International Fellows. The Board reviewed, and moved forward for approval by the Fellowship, language to include International Fellows. In August 2006, the Academy approved a bylaws change that creates a new category of Academy Fellow, “International Fellows”—nurses who hold citizenship in countries other than the United States and meet Fellowship eligibility criteria. This approval reflects wide-spread enthusiasm for imbuing the Academy with increased international perspective. This action was supported by Fellows in attendance at the 2005 Annual business meeting. It is our intent to encourage nurses from other countries who share our mission to improve health policy and nursing practice. We welcome international scholars who bring a wealth of knowledge regarding specific health care issues that transcend international borders.

Our strategic plan commits us to improving nursing practice through the application of evidence. The sources of evidence will likely include research conducted by international scholars on a variety of topics. All Expert Panels are encouraged to identify and include the work of international scholars in their deliberations. The Academy is exploring opportunities to participate in the discussions regarding critical health care issues of importance nationally and internationally. We have a rich history of conducting such work in a variety of areas. We support and encourage the publication of this vital work in Nursing Outlook.

The Academy joined the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science and several Expert Panels in nominating Ambassadors for the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research. The Fellows submitted include Kathleen Dracup, DNS, RN, FAAN; William Holzemer, PhD, RN, FAAN; Beverly McElmurry, EdD, RN, FAAN; Marianne Marcus, EdD, RN, FAAN; Marjorie Muecke, PhD, RN, FAAN; Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN; Marilyn Sommers, PhD, RN, FAAN ; and Sandra Millon Underwood, PhD, RN, FAAN. The Academy has submitted an abstract to the International Council of Nursing on the Commission on Nursing Workforce outcomes. By partnering with key international stakeholders, we envision increased cultivation of research that will enhance practices worldwide.

I am pleased to report that new links from the Academy’s Web site (www.aannet.org) promote communication and collaboration with international organizations, researchers, and healthcare providers the world over, and we recently established a liaison relationship with ANA representatives allowing us to explore together global nursing and healthcare issues. We invite your comments on this new strategic direction to engage our international colleagues in our quest to improve nursing practice and health policy.