Volume 5, Issue 3

In This Issue: Letter from the President | Advanced Nursing Practice: The Global Experience | Nurse Who Fears Heights Scales Mount Everest on Behalf of Nursing Shortage  | Making the Most of Your Membership | Member Profile: Honor Society Member Caree Updyke Reflects on Online Learning

Learn more about the future of nursing in this issue of Create the Future.

Letter from the President

Dear honor society members, 

The theme for this issue of Create the Future is the Future of Nursing. Predicting the future is difficult even when environments are relatively static. When environments are dynamic at best and volatile at worst, visioning and proactively preparing for the future is very difficult. What is the future of nursing?  What skills will nurses need to be health care leaders as we enter the second decade of the 21^st century? 

One skill that will be needed more than ever is leadership. The 21^st century requires nurses to be knowledgeable, skilled and competent in all aspects of leadership and management. In many countries, the emphasis on health care as ‘big business’ continues to increase, requiring nurse leaders to be actively involved in the financial and marketing aspects of their respective departments. High turnover rates, widespread nurse migration, concerns about an inadequately educated workforce and legislative efforts to establish minimum staffing ratios and competency levels provide additional challenges. In addition, contemporary nurse leaders are expected to be skilled communicators, organizers and team builders and to be visionary and proactive in preparing for emerging new threats such as terrorism, biological warfare and global pandemics.

At the national and international levels, nurses are increasingly involved in greatly needed health care reform and in addressing the ever-increasing international nursing shortage. In addition, 21^st century nurses, as global health care leaders, are part of the health care team that must address global health threats including poverty, lack of education, maternal and child mortality, gender inequality and communicable disease.

It truly can be a bit overwhelming. As I have traveled the world representing the honor society, many chapter leaders and members have expressed concern that their leadership skills are inadequate to face these 21^st century challenges. In fact, some say they feel inadequately prepared to deal with the issues they face each and every day in their clinical practice.  

Clearly, increased opportunities for leadership development are needed by honor society members, as well as nurses worldwide. Currently, the honor society offers the Board Leadership Development program, formerly known as Omada, for board level leadership development and the Mentored Leadership program, formerly known as Chiron, for individuals seeking a one-to-one mentoring relationship with a nurse leader to increase their personal leadership skills. 

In addition, the honor society, in partnership, with the Hartford Foundation, hopes to create new opportunities for leadership development in geriatrics during the coming biennium. The Geriatrics Nursing Leadership Academy will be modeled after the Maternal/Child Nursing Leadership Academy, currently available as a result of a partnership between the honor society and Johnson and Johnson Corporate Contributions. The Maternal/Child Nursing Leadership Academy is an 18-month, mentored leadership development experience designed to prepare and position nurses and nurse midwives to influence practice and patient outcomes. There are still openings in the 2008/2009 cohort and more information can be found at online. 

Finally, the 2007-2009 Leadership Development Task Force, under the direction of Nancy Dickenson Hazard, is working to develop curricular content for multiple levels of leadership development including that of the global nurse leader.

Preparing nurses to lead in 21^st century is an important honor society goal and the development of additional leadership development opportunities is a priority for this biennium. Ultimately, it is up to the individual nurse to seek and attain the leadership skills needed to be a nurse leader in the 21^st century. Joel Barker, a futurist, once said, “You can and should shape your own future; because if you don’t someone else surely will.” The future of nursing then will be determined, at least in part, by the willingness of nurses to prepare for the challenges that are to come. As always, I invite your input and ideas as we begin this journey together.

Carol J. Huston
Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International
2007-2009 President

Feature Articles

Advanced Nursing Practice: The Global Experience
by Madrean Schober

As increased demand for health care coincides with lack of access to health care services and shortages of health care professionals, nurses with advanced knowledge and skills are increasingly important. Read the story.

Member Profile: Honor Society Member Caree Updyke Reflects on Online Learning

Online learning brings a new dimension to the learning forum. Some learners see this forum as an easier way to learn, while others see this forum as “difficult” and “scary.” For myself, an adult learner, my view of online education changed dramatically through my participation in the University of Phoenix Online’s MSN/Ed program.

In the fall of 2006, I embarked on my journey toward my degree ― a journey long overdue and eagerly awaited. The journey was not easy by any means. I had to juggle my life, full-time job, home and family. Therefore, the flexibility of an online program was appealing to me.

Once I decided online education was my best choice, I hoped I could be disciplined enough to direct myself and complete my assignments and projects. I had to learn how to use the computer skillfully and communicate effectively online. I also had to learn the dynamics of research, evidence-based practice, teaching paradigms and learning styles. It was difficult, but I was up for the challenge.

The virtual classroom is similar to a traditional classroom in many ways. My experiences taught me that online education is simply different, but not less effective if the learner is self-directed, self-disciplined and enthusiastic. Active participation is the key to online learning success.

Throughout my experience, I had daily communication with instructors and classmates, and this was integral to our success. As in traditional classroom, we evaluated each other’s performance and contributions. Online programs also offer many educational resources, such as online libraries and e-books. The resources were easy to use, and everything I needed was available on the university’s Web site.

As the class progressed, my comfort level with online learning increased. Additionally, I learned first-hand the importance of self ignition and personal drive. If you think about it, online learning is really no different than learning in a traditional setting. If the learner lacks motivation, drive and enthusiasm, learning will not be as effective or meaningful. Another factor that added to my comfort level was that I knew my education was delivered by competent instructors – even if I never had the opportunity to meet them. Through their support, I never felt alone in my online learning journey.

Since my experience, I have become an online education advocate. Online education afforded me the flexibility to continue living my life, while learning and growing as a nurse and professional. I currently practice my passion for nursing as both a telemetry nurse at a Pennsylvania trauma center and a clinical instructor for a community college.  I am proud of what I have achieved. To those people who do not believe they can accomplish an online degree: If you are motivated and passionate, it can be accomplished, conquered and attained.

If you would like to offer your thoughts and experiences for inclusion in this newsletter, please contact marketing@stti.iupui.edu.