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The University of Michigan School of Nursing has recently greeted nursing influencers from throughout the Caribbean and Latin America for profound, hands-on training and exchanges aimed at enhancing health care education across these regions.

In collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Office of Global Affairs at the School of Nursing organized a group of nursing educators from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago for the “Train the Trainer” Caribbean simulation initiative—an endeavor embedded within its 27-year designation as a PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center.

Furthermore, the School of Nursing hosted nursing collaborators from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Mexico to aid in the advancement of Nurse Practitioners in Latin America.

Both initiatives illustrate the School’s longstanding dedication to enhancing nurse and midwifery education, empowering nurses, nurturing leadership, and promoting knowledge sharing. This work is fueled by a vision to foster global health leadership, sustain low- and middle-income areas, and develop educational capacity to tackle health inequities, as stated by Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini, Associate Dean for Global Affairs and co-director of the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

Connecting knowledge with practice in the Caribbean

In the first week, participants from various Caribbean nations engaged in simulation activities at UMSN’s cutting-edge facility.

They rotated through roles as health professionals, family members, and control room personnel, managing high-fidelity mannequins in realistic scenarios that represented hospital challenges like fluctuations in vital signs, coughing, and changing patient conditions. These experiences bolstered teamwork, crisis management, and clinical independence—skills participants can return home to share with fellow educators.

The week also featured presentations and discussions centered on nursing education, providing participants the opportunity to explore how U.S. methodologies might be adapted for their own nations.

“Plans are underway to bolster simulation in education, so I want to be ready to return and instruct others,” expressed Cynthia Pitter, senior lecturer and head of the School of Nursing at the University of the West Indies Mona in Jamaica.

Natalie Watson, an instructor at Barbados Community College, stated, “Simulation is the future. We need to guarantee that our students are placed in a safe setting and can practice before working with actual patients.”

“One of my aspirations is that we all internalize and carry home how—with proficient faculty—it is not merely the technology that counts, but how we utilize that technology. There is much we can achieve with less technology than we assume, provided we employ it judiciously and competently,” remarked
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Megan Eagle, U-M clinical assistant professor of nursing.

Delving into advanced practice nurse education and responsibilities

In the second week, nurses, educators, and administrators from Latin America examined nurse practitioner education and responsibilities, along with their influence in U.S. health care environments, through presentations and dialogues with U-M faculty, students, and nursing organization representatives. They also toured U-M Health and community locales to acquire further understanding of nurse practitioner duties within the U.S. framework, particularly focusing on how these positions aid in reducing health disparities.

During their practical exercise, attendees donned protective hospital attire and utilized readily available supplies to construct various layers of a simulated puncture injury on their own hands—an activity that emphasized both practical and inventive strategies for clinical simulation training.

“This workshop is centered on incorporating the nurse practitioner education in Latin America, enabling us to observe how the role is executed and contemplate strategies we can integrate in our own nations, methodologies that could enhance health care access and inclusivity,” remarked Francisca Márquez-Doren, director of graduate studies at the School of Nursing at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

“It is fascinating to see how this North American framework can unite us. We need to culturally tailor this experience, among others, to ensure its efficacy in our own countries. In numerous regions, it operates precisely like it does here.”

Aurturo Ferreira, professor and head of the Department of Wellbeing and Health at the Catholic University of Uruguay, expressed his enthusiasm for creating strategic partnerships—both with hospitals in other nations and with universities throughout the region—recognizing the necessity of such collaborations for the evolution of nurse practitioner roles.

For many participants, the development of networks and leadership skills held significant importance.

“A nurse is a nurse globally, but what differentiates nurse practitioners is that they are not generalists—they specialize in a specific area, equipped with extensive knowledge and expertise, capable of operating independently in particular scenarios,” stated Viviana de los Angeles Galarza, professor at the School of Nursing at the National University of Misiones in Argentina.

U-M students and presenters also highlighted how the experience offered a valuable global viewpoint.

“In today’s interconnected world, maintaining global ties is crucial. For me, learning from diverse cultures can shape my practice and aid me in educating the next generation of midwives,” said Renee Sokolowski, a certified nurse-midwife student at U-M.

Jimmy Johnston, a doctoral nursing practice student specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, concurred. He emphasized that nurses play a vital role in the health care system, asserting that the program equips them with the tools necessary to spearhead change, enhance their expertise, and implement evidence-based solutions in their workplaces.

“We might reside on different sides of the globe, but we confront many of the same health inequities. It is our responsibility to devise innovative ways to tackle these issues collectively,” he stated.

Stacciarini noted that the two global initiatives offer immense value to our international collaborators while providing enriching learning opportunities for U-M faculty, students, and community nurse practitioners.

“Together, we are cultivating a more interconnected, knowledgeable, and impactful global nursing community,” she remarked.

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