USF College of Nursing begins partnership talks with University of Stirling in Scotland

University of South Florida College of Nursing began partnership discussions with University of Stirling in Scotland over a video conference on April 25, 2013.

The video conference, moderated by Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean for Global & Community Affairs, LaRon Nelson, PhD, RN, NP, was held to discuss the research specialty areas at the University of Stirling School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health,  as well as to exchange research ideas between the two Nursing Colleges. These discussions are part of the USF College of Nursing initiative, POWER with Nursing: Partnership Opportunities for Wellness, Education and Research and part of iCON: International College of Nursing.

“The University of Stirling School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health has very strong research units that include the Cancer Care Research Center, Center for Public & Population Health Research, Midwifery and Allied Health Care (MAHC) Unit, and Maternal Child Health Research Group,” Dr. Nelson said. “These and other areas overlap with the work in which our faculty are engaged. In the era of the Affordable Care Act, Scotland provides an amazing opportunity for comparative research to understand how differences in the structure of our healthcare systems impact nursing outcomes and other healthcare related outcomes. It positions the USF College of Nursing to continue to lead in generating the research that improves nursing practice locally and internationally.”

Faculty members from University of Stirling School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health will visit USF College of Nursing on May 13, 2013 to meet with Senior Associate Vice President for USF Health and Dean of the College of Nursing, Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, faculty, and students to discuss opportunities for international partnerships between the two colleges. They will have a number of important meetings with USF College of Nursing’s faculty and clinical and community partners to create an overall understanding of the College.

“They are also co-sponsoring the USF College of Nursing International Nursing Research Challenge, a grant that motivates faculty interest in pursuing their programs of research in international contexts, and will be reviewing proposals and making a recommendation for funding to the Dean,” Nelson said. “We will also have a formal ceremony wherein the Deans of the both Schools of Nursing make agreements to collaborate on research and educational programs in an effort to promote global citizenship and global engagement among our students and faculty.”

The University of Stirling’s mission is to pursue world-class research, scholarship and learning in order to inspire, challenge and support motivated individuals who want to shape our world. Stirling  is ranked number one in Scotland and eighth in the UK in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world’s best 100 universities under 50 years old. Stirling is top in Scotland and ninth in the UK in the Research Success Rankings (Research Fortnight, 2007). The UK-wide 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed that Stirling is the leading Scottish research university in a number of areas, including Nursing & Midwifery, Sport, Education, and Film & Media.

Through POWER with Nursing, our Partnership Opportunities for Wellness, Education and Research, the College of Nursing’s initiatives with existing and expanding collaborations stretch across the region, nation and globe. POWER with Nursing provides opportunities to collaborate with the USF College of Nursing on important initiatives like expanding the research residencies program, providing increased opportunities for interprofessional education, and expanding USF Global nursing programs.