An International Collaborative Teaching Venture In Strengths-Based Family Nursing

Background: One emerging cornerstones of family nursing is strengths based nursing (SBN). SBN is both a philosophy and a practical approach to nursing that aims to optimise functioning and wellbeing, promote health and create conditions for healing across the life span. Purpose: Attendees will develop skills in teaching family nursing and have an opportunity to develop international collaborations in teaching family nursing. Methods - Educational Focus: In the Bachelor of Nursing program in Tasmania, Australia, a new SBN subject will commence July 2017. This subject will explore principles of strengths-based nursing through a mixed mode of teaching including on-campus workshops and online learning. Students engage with learning material through case based simulations, Twitter (@DrLindsaySmith, #AFSNA_), IFNA YouTube channel and web-based resources to support the development and application of strengths based nursing knowledge and skills in various contexts of nursing. Results/Evaluation: The teaching and learning strategies combined in the new subject have been implemented and evaluated through a predecessor undergraduate nursing subject. Evaluation results are overwhelmingly positive towards these teaching strategies summarised in the following student comments: - Online learning provides great balance for work, family etc. Unit Coordinator is engaging, approachable and supportive. I have enjoyed this subject. - The access provided by Lindsay Smith by way of many different websites, recorded media events (including Twitter and YouTube) and other information was excellent. Conclusion: Opportunities are available to establish collaborative teaching and learning resources and student learning experiences with an international community of family nursing educators utilising these learning resources and activities. Opportunity to develop collaborative teaching resources and student learning activities will also be offered. It is anticipated that through this presentation collaboration in family nursing education will be promoted.