Title : Transforming nursing education in South Africa through collaborative strategic partnerships
Abstract:
This presentation will highlight the role of the country’s Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (GCNMO) in implementing the recommendations of the country’s first Nursing Education, Training and Practice Strategy through collaborative strategic partnerships. The presentation will briefly outline the process that was followed in developing the Nursing Education, Training and Practice Strategy commonly known as the Nursing Strategy and the role that was played by the Minister of Health, as part of political support, to revitalize the nursing profession. The key concepts of strategic partnership and collaboration will be unpacked in the context of transforming nursing education in the country taking into consideration the Ministry of Education and Health imperatives and the legal frameworks of the relevant regulatory bodies. The presentation will describe the different level of strategic partnerships that were harnessed externally between government and donors; and internally between the different sectors and the regulatory bodies. It will also cover the role that was played by strategic partners and collaborators in preparing public nursing colleges for integration of their nursing education programs into the higher education sectors for the first time in the country, with the nursing regulatory body. This was one of the recommendations of the Nursing Strategy as public nursing colleges were attached to hospitals and offering programs accredited by the Nursing regulatory body only, not the Council on Higher Education. The presentation will conclude with reflections on the lessons that emerged and will use lessons from the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI) as one such example of strategic collaborative partnerships.
Takeaway Notes:
• Reconstruction and revitalisation of the Nursing Profession take a concerted effort from all of partners. The successful revitalization of nursing education does not solely depend on nursing but other strategic partners and collaborators including external donors where possible.
• The process of transformation requires careful planning which takes longer because strategic partners and collaborators may need some time to buy in to the proposed change.
• Having initiatives aimed at transforming nursing education coordinated at a national level under the Nursing Directorate is essential to avoid unnecessary duplication of initiatives and efficient utilization of available resources.
• Critical stakeholders can play a pivotal role in supporting strategies of government aimed at production of service oriented and career focused nursing professionals.
How will this help the audience in their job?
• A number of countries are moving nursing education away from the hospitals to higher education. This presentation will highlight the lessons learned during this process in South Africa and how some of the challenges were addressed by involving wider stakeholders, strategic partner and collaborators to ensure smooth transition
• The presentation outlines the process that was followed in developing a Nursing Strategy. Countries which are working towards developing their Nursing Strategies may take some notes.
