Background and purpose: Global nursing is a relatively new term identifying nurses contributing to global health. While personally and professionally rewarding, global health projects present unique challenges to global nurses that impact partnerships. The aim of this article was to describe the role of global nursing, and focus on relational-cultural theory as the foundation of transformative partnerships.
Methods: This article is based upon a review of literature related to global health and relational inquiry. Peer-reviewed papers and research articles published within the past 10 years were used to support this discussion. Publications considered to be classics in the field of relationship inquiry were also utilized.
Results: Global nursing is a relatively recent conceptualization in describing the role of nursing. Global nursing practice based upon relational-cultural theory and mediated by cultural humility provides a strong foundation for the development of transformative global nursing partnerships.
Implications for practice: This article provides a theoretical foundation for global nurses practicing in local and global contexts with diverse populations. Nursing partnerships in both local and global contexts can be challenging to initiate and manage, but global nurses are responsible for creating partnerships which are ethically sound, based on theory, and transformative in nature. Cultural humility plays a central role in the ongoing process of disconnecting and re-connecting for transformational partnerships with individuals, communities, and other health-care providers.
Keywords: ethics; global health; nurses/midwives/nursing; nursing practice; theory.
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