Transnational Capacity Building

An Australian-Danish Partnership Model for Higher Education and Research in Nursing

Aim: The article describes how a three level nursing partnership program between Australia and Denmark evolved and how barriers can be diminished when built on guiding principles of: professional trust, mutual understanding and respect for each other’s social, educational and cultural conditions. This partnership led to the advancement of nurse professional development, nursing practice and nursing research through the exchange of knowledge and experience.

Background: Partnership programs are a viable option for building capacity for nurses to meet their professional needs and promote better clinical outcomes for the population they care for. Rapid globalisation, instant communication, opportunity for increased international research collaboration and migration all require nurses to expand their perceptions of the contexts in which they work. One method to advance these notions is by sharing knowledge and expertise across international borders as an important vehicle for developing nursing practice and research.

Conclusion: The Australian-Danish education and research partnership program demonstrates that exchanging experiences can create opportunities for nurses’ professional growth, to advance careers and engage in research.