The Implications of International Health and Education Policy Trends on Nursing Education: An Australian Perspective

Abstract

Despite local differences, there is a trend toward international convergence of many health and higher education policies stemming from similar issues, similar problems, and similar responses. In this context, many commonalities are emerging in both nursing practice and education. These have an impact on the teaching methods and strategies that will need to be used to prepare the 21st-century nurse to practice within the emerging global milieu. Teaching will need to become learner driven, evidence based, and conducted in both real and virtual space, using world-class materials and ensuring international best practice. Local and international partnerships between universities and business will need to be developed with the aim of collaborating in the development of teaching and learning materials and their ongoing testing and modification. A major investment will need to be made in faculty development and international exchange. The outcome will be a nurse who is an international professional with portable qualifications.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anderson, I. (2000). Critical issues in national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy and strategy. In R. Galbally & J. Krupinski (Eds.), Reform, redesign or revolution: Health agendas for the 21st century (pp. 43-52). Melbourne: Australian International Health Institute.

Brown, P. (1995). Cultural capital and social exclusion: Some observations on recent trends in education, employment and the labour market. Work, Employment and Society, 9, 29-51.

Brown, P. , & Scase, R. (1997). Universities and employers: Rhetoric and reality. In A. Smith & F. Webster (Eds.), The postmodern university? Contested visions of higher education in society (pp. 85-98). Buckingham, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.

Dahlgren, G. (2000). Healthy health sector reforms—Some key issues. In R. Galbally & J. Krupinski (Eds.), Reform, redesign or revolution: Health agendas for the 21st century (pp. 67-75). Melbourne: Australian International Health Institute.

Department of Employment, Education and Training . (1988). Higher education: A policy statement. Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Publishing Service.

Kramer, H. , & Kimball, R. (1997). Introduction. In H. Kramer & R. Kimball (Eds.), The future of the European past. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee.

Kumar, K. (1997). The need for place. In A. Smith & F. Webster (Eds.), The postmodern university? Contested visions of higher education in society (pp. 27-35). Buckingham, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.

Neubauser, L. , Schwab, M. , Syme, S. L. , & Bieber, M. (1998). Community participation in health promotion: Evaluation of the California Wellness Guide. Health Promotion International, 13(3), 211-221.

Parker, J. , & Rickard, G. (1999). Nursing town and nursing gown: Time, space and the reinvention of nursing through collaboration. Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners, 3(1), 36-42.

10.

Podger, A. (2000). Reforming health systems in response to changing patterns of health and disease. In R. Galbally & J. Krupinski (Eds.), Reform, redesign or revolution: Health agendas for the 21st century (pp. 19-24). Melbourne: Australian International Health Institute.

11.

Scott, P. (1995). The meanings of mass education. Buckingham, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.

12.

Scott, P. (1997). The postmodern university? In A. Smith & F. Webster (Eds.), The postmodern university? Contested visions of higher education in society (pp. 36-47). Buckingham, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.

13.

Smith, A. , & Webster, F. (1997). Changing ideas of the university. In A. Smith & F. Webster (Eds.), The postmodern university? Contested visions of higher education in society (pp. 1-14). Buckingham, UK: Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.

14.

Taylor, P. (1996). Virtualising universities. In G. Hart & J. Mason (Eds.), Proceedings and case studies: The virtual university? Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.

15.

Tiffin, J. (1997). In search of the virtual class. In G. Hart & J. Mason (Eds.), Proceedings and case studies: The virtual university? Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.

16.

University of Melbourne . (2000). Operational plan 2001. Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.