Global program to build leadership capacity of nurses

16 Nov 2016

By The Record

Kathleen McLaughlin (Australian College of Nursing), Associate Professor Karen Clark-Burg, Fiona Unac (Acute Care Nurse) and Dr Frances Hughes (CEO of the International Council of Nurses). Photo: Supplied
(L-R) Kathleen McLaughlin (Australian College of Nursing), Associate Professor Karen Clark-Burg, Fiona Unac (Acute Care Nurse) and Dr Frances Hughes (CEO of the International Council of Nurses). Photo: Supplied

Associate Dean of Notre Dame’s School of Nursing & Midwifery, Associate Professor Karen Clark-Burg, was chosen as one of only 26 senior nurses worldwide to participate in the 2016 Global Nursing Leadership Institute Program in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hosted in September by the International Council of Nurses at the Chateau De Bossey, Associate Professor Clark-Burg collaborated with other global nursing leaders to take forward nursing leadership priorities at the local, national, regional and international level and develop creative ways to build leadership capacity of nurses worldwide.

Reflecting the theme ‘Nursing opportunities in a world focused on sustainable development’, participants heard from international speakers who shared their work on successful health reform projects.

Participants also explored strategies to improve nursing and midwifery education and services, in order to provide better care to those in need and contribute towards the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The program culminated with a formal graduation which was attended by United Nations’ ambassadors.

“Apart from the opportunity to build international networks with an amazing group nurse leaders and invited speakers, the chance to be a part of this group with a focus on strengthening the nursing and midwifery profession and advance global health is both rejuvenating and invigorating,” Associate Professor Clark-Burg said.

“I hope to undertake further work to strengthen the Nursing & Midwifery curriculum at Notre Dame to prepare students to identify the health care needs of populations and build leadership skills to enhance future contributions in evidence-based care, health policies and reform,” she added.