The Globalisation of Nursing

Book excerpt: Globalisation affects health, health care and nursing and has the potential to change the very nature of what we now take for granted in health care and how we obtain it. Nursing as a profession faces multiple challenges, many of them because of globalization. Nurses have always seen their profession as a passport to the world. In the past, the move was from west to east and north to south. That trend is now reversed due to globalisation. Nursing education needs to reflect these challenges, particularly how to cope with practitioners from culturally different areas, with educationally different standards, and with socially different expectations.This book addresses all these matters, as well as specific issues such as addiction, nurse migration, women prisoners, standards of care and terrorism, all of which have a global dimension. This work is a beginning towards the further needed education for students of nursing, practising nurses and other health professionals about globalization and its numerous impacts.'This book on globalisation is a welcome addition to the nursing literature for professional nurses working internationally and at home. Additionally, it has some important messages for others in the healthcare services and for the public at large. The topics included cover a wide range of issues that impact nurses, the nursing profession, and all those who receive nursing care. This book questions practices and policies at many levels, and shows some innovative means of care and education. That is why I urge you to read and reflect on all the global themes in this book. You will be the wiser for your effort' - Christine Hancock in the Foreword.