463chapter TWENTY
Refl ective Response
Joyce J. Fitzpatrick
The authors, faculty, and students at Drexel University and Duquesne University, are
to be commended for the success in implementing a study abroad experience in their
respective Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The Drexel program stands out
for the mandatory requirement of a study- abroad experience. This is a unique and in-
novative curriculum requirement, and one that will not only attract students to the pro-
gram, but also benefit all the participants.
Most importantly, it will change the students’ view of the world, and orient them
to the challenges in global health, from the perspective of other countries. As the student
participants report the short 2- week experience changes one’s perception of the world.
I have always believed that one learns as much about oneself as about others through
travel. And the learning that has occurred for the students in the Drexel and Duquesne
programs is noteworthy. They will be better global citizens in our professional world of
nursing for having participated in the study- abroad program. And as the authors note,
nursing is now global. We can no longer isolate ourselves from the diseases, and par-
ticularly from the viruses that can travel just as easily, and perhaps faster, than we can.
We can no longer ignore the conflicts of war and famine, and poverty that afflicts those
in our country and throughout the globe. My colleagues and I have argued for a more
knowledgeable nursing workforce, attuned to the health disparities that result from the
lack of resources, both material and professional (Lee et al., 2015). This perspective is the
result of my global work, and that of professional nursing colleagues.
One enhancement of the current program would be to extend the experience to
counties in Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and the Middle East, so as to intro-
duce students to a broader perspective on health ethics, population health, and health
disparities. Although this would present several additional challenges, it would also
provide a rich and broadening experience. Perhaps this could be offered as an elective
experience to begin, and then evaluated for its value as the program dimensions are for-
malized. Of course, the time frame might also need to be extended, but even in 2 weeks,
one can travel to most countries and have a rich introductory experience. There are
special opportunities to connect with colleagues in Hong Kong as there is a similar pro-
fessional doctorate currently offered at Hong Kong University (HKU). Several U.S. pro-
fessors and I have consulted with HKU colleagues, and many of the U.S. professors
have served as visiting faculty at HKU. In particular, there are opportunities for collabo-
rative global health projects that can be initiated by DNP students and faculty.