Visit by an Ohio University professor strengthens collaboration in science and research

Professor Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, CGNC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, from our partner university The Ohio State University (USA), visited the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences USB from October 6­ ­– 24. Her visit was part of the Fulbright project to build research capacity for teachers and master's and doctoral students at the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery and Emergency Care. The goal was primarily to expand collaboration opportunities in research, evidence-based practice, and publishing. While here, Professor Morrison-Beedy established contacts that will continue to deepen and develop: she already has plans for joint scientific articles, creating scenarios for teaching in the simulation centre, and more.

Professor Morrison-Beedy mainly focuses on research and evidence-based practice in the field of nursing (EBN). She has received many prestigious awards and has visited Norway, Scotland, and France as a Fulbright specialist to support research activities. Thanks to her visit, the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences USB can become even more involved in the changes that will affect the development of nursing throughout the Czech Republic.

Based on her research and EBN experience, Professor Morrison-Beedy organized an intensive research seminar/workshop at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences USB, which focused on designing, conducting analysis, and funding intervention research. She shared her rich experiences in creating systematic reviews with teachers and doctoral students. Another of her tasks was to enhance the skills of academic staff in scientific publishing, which will increase the possibility of disseminating and promoting our nursing science in prestigious scientific journals.

Professor Morrison-Beedy was invited to our faculty after establishing a relationship with the Dean of Science and Research and the Director of the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care, Professor PhDr. Valérie Tóthová, Ph.D. Their first meeting took place online, and, based on that conversation, they quickly realized that they shared the same goal and similar views on the future development of nursing. Shortly after, Professor Tóthová travelled to Ohio University where Professor Morrison-Beedy served as her supervisor for two weeks. This collaboration now continues more broadly at our faculty – with other colleagues at the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care.

Summing up her experiences, Professor Morrison-Beedy said: "I have witnessed great enthusiasm and excitement in your people who are ready to make every effort to improve the field of nursing. I met a team here with a common goal, which is to advance nursing. You have great research, and it is clear that your people do it well and dedicate a lot to it." She added that she had found new friends here and would love to become an ambassador in the area to assist in finding ways that benefit the further development of nursing in our country.

This is why experts who come as Fulbright specialists are tasked with learning about the history and development context of a particular country. It is important for them to get acquainted with the circumstances in which the country is developing (and where it is heading) to better understand the mentality of the people, culture, and the specifics of a particular nation. In the Czech Republic, nursing research activities only began to develop at the end of the last century (or after the Velvet Revolution) when there was a transformation of nursing education. As part of this transformation, gaining the necessary qualifications moved to university – and it was only then that the development of nursing research activities began. The challenges that come from clinical practice require an increasing set of skills for conducting applied and intervention research. Successful research activity is not possible without the ability to work with scientific material obtained from scientific publications and EBN, along with the ability to apply them in clinical practice.

Professor Morrison-Beedy pointed out that she had met outstanding research at the faculty, the results of which have a significant impact on practice and significantly affect the domestic health care system. "Your experts are very progressive, and the results of their scientific work will have an impact on the whole of the Czech Republic," she said. She also arranged with the Director of the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care to link academic staff with American colleagues according to their areas of expertise – and the same applies to doctoral students. Thanks to this, she already has several specific plans. "For example, when I visited your Simulation Centre for health fields, it immediately occurred to me that paths could be found to connect our two institutions in simulation,” she said. “Whether online or in person. This cooperation can be useful for teaching scenarios." As an example, she mentioned neonatology: her colleague from the American university focuses on newborn resuscitation, so there could be an inspiring comparison of resuscitation standards and a possible transfer to our practice.

In addition to the professional programme at the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences USB, Professor Morrison-Beedy also attended the graduation ceremony collegium at the Metropol Cultural House on October 19. "It warmed my heart to see so many young people who are ready to change the world as future healthcare professionals," she said. On October 21 she participated in the South Bohemian Nurse competition, where she encouraged our three teams at individual stations during competitive disciplines. In the near future, she will receive another important award for her research, this time from an association that focuses on nursing and care for people with AIDS.

The Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, JU, Prof. PhDr. Valérie Tóthová, Ph.D, concluded the visit by saying: "I am very pleased that Professor Dianne Morrison-Beedy accepted the invitation to our faculty. We had the opportunity to introduce both pedagogical activities and, above all, our research activities in the field of nursing. Her praise pleased us. With the help of her and her colleagues, we can continue to develop nursing, not only at our faculty, but also throughout the country. It is interesting that American nurses were already influencing the development of nursing here at the time of the first Czechoslovak Republic, and we can learn a lot from them even now. I am extremely pleased at this close cooperation with such a prominent figure in American nursing. From her CV, we can see that Professor Morrison-Beedy has not only contributed to nursing in research and EBN as a solver of research projects, but also as an Assessment Director (CCC Accreditation), Director of the Programme "Family Nurse Practitioner Programme," Vice-Dean for Research, Faculty Dean, Director of Talents, and Global Strategy – and these are just some of the positions she has held. Besides being a Fulbright specialist at several universities, she is and has been an Honorary Professor and Visiting Professor at several universities. Together with Professor Morrison-Beedy, we have specific plans, and we will actively work on their implementation."