Intensive exchange of experience with the prominent personalities of American nursing at the Ohio State University College of Nursing

From October 29 to November 12, 2022, Prof. PhDr. Valérie Tóthová, PhD, Vice Dean for Science and Research and head of the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care at the Faculty of Health and Social sciences (FHSS), attended the study exchange program at the Ohio State University's College of Nursing. She was able to work intensively with the prominent personalities of American nursing for two weeks. The College of Nursing at the Ohio State University was founded in 1914 and has experienced changes caused by the development of American nursing and education in the field. Currently, the College offers excellent educational programs, conducts top-notch research, and runs important centers, such as the Center for Evidence-based Practice and the Center for Healthcare Innovation and Leadership. All students are taught and guided to innovate, have a vision, implement, be focused on wellness and work using the best evidence as lifelong learners.

This internship continues the already-established cooperation. Professor Susan O'Hara, PhD, MPH, RN, visited FHSS in June this year. Professor Tóthová offered her a rich professional program. She could learn about our study programs and compare the differences in the education and competences of nurses in the Czech Republic and the USA and discuss with experts, heads of departments and study program guarantors. The Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Innovations in Education, Professor Cindy Anderson, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, ANEF, FAHA, FNAP, FAAN, enlightened her how the degree programs were adapted to the needs of society, i.e., the healthcare system. She spoke about research focus and funding at the College of Nursing and national nursing research funding with the Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, Professor Mary Beth Happ, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA. In addition, the faculty has a crucial wellness strategy. Professor Sharon Tucker, PhD, APRN-CNS, NC-BC, FNAP, FAAN, is the Vice Dean for Health Promotion and Well-being. The faculty directs preventive activities towards the public and oversees its employees' and students' health. Professor Tóthová discussed the College's research on health prevention. "I presented our research projects to the Vice Dean in detail. We focus on prevention and strive to strengthen society's awareness of health and its necessity for a happy life".

The professional program also included a three-day course focused on evidence-based practice. The course was conducted in cooperation with the "Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare" for Evidence-based Practice teachers. Completing the course was a fantastic experience for Professor Tóthová and Dr Martin Červený, ​​who began his month-long internship at the College of Nursing as a nursing doctoral program student. Professor Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, EBP-C, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, the the center founder and the current College of Nursing Dean, gave the introductory lecture. "I never expected to meet her in person. I have been using her books to teach Evidence-based Nursing for about ten years," says Professor Tóthová. Professor Melnyk is nationally and globally recognized for her clinical knowledge and innovative approaches to various health problems. She is a worldwide consultant for healthcare facilities and universities on improving the quality of care by implementing and maintaining evidence-based practice. "The Dean and I discussed other possibilities for cooperation in nursing. I am very pleased that, despite her busy schedule, she is very open to the further development of cooperation," adds Professor Tóthová.

Professor Tóthová and Professor Dianne Morrison-Bedy, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Director of Talent and Global Strategy, discussed cooperation in ​​strengthening and improving the quality of research in Czech nursing. Professor Morrison-Bedy has received several research awards, and her research funding has exceeded $12 million. "I am thrilled that Professor Morrison-Bedy is coming to our faculty next October. She will be staying for three weeks as a Fulbright specialist. We have already discussed her program in detail. Her internship will be beneficial for our research in the field," says Professor Tóthová.  Prof. Morrison-Bedy is also supervising Dr Červený, and guarantees his objectives will be met.

Prof. Susan O'Hara, PhD, MPH, RN, BA, EDAC, FNIHD, and Prof. Michael Ackerman, PhD, RN, FCCM, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, detailed the "Master of Healthcare Innovation Program" and the Center for Innovation. The Center aims to join innovation, business, education, practice, and research leaders to collaborate on ideas, projects and knowledge and improve population health and well-being. "The Center showed us the creation of the new and the innovative in a short period. They spontaneously made a souvenir writing "Ohi" in an Ohio-shaped object and replacing the letter "O" with our Faculty logo. It was a confirmation of our cooperation," says Professor Tóthová. Each of her work trips has included a visit to a medical facility. The University Hospital is significant with its research centers. "The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center" was presented in detail, especially the organization and nursing care system.

In conclusion, Professor Tóthová said: "My internship at The Ohio State University's College of Nursing was very beneficial. I have gained new information, knowledge and experience, and mainly other ideas, which I will detail to my colleagues at the institute. Cooperation with such an excellent institution open to cooperating with us can only contribute to the further development of nursing at our Faculty. I want to thank our University and Faculty for the financial support I have received. I would also like to thank Professor Morrison-Bedy for the financial support from her University as well." Prof. Tóthová's internship was financed by the project "Development of JU - Capacity for R&D II No.: CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/18_054/0014638".