AS APPEARED IN FUTURE HEALTHCARE MAGAZINE
SPRING 2007

Workforce Development:
Nurse Leaders for America^TM

What is your take on the current nursing shortage?

The nursing shortage in the U.S. and around the world is well-documented. Recent research indicates that by the year 2020, the current shortage is expected to triple to a shortfall of 340,000 nurses. A lesser-discussed and understood issue is the shortage of qualified nursing faculty and clinical educators. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that almost 40,000 qualified applicants were not accepted into entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs in 2007, due primarily to a shortage of faculty and resource constraints. In fact, the nursing faculty shortage is actually a more serious issue than the general nursing shortage since the faculty is rapidly approaching the age of retirement.  universities struggle to educate the next generation of nurse educators since advanced U.S. nursing education programs are often under-subscribed.  Therefore, this education bottleneck is often cited as an obstacle to solving the current nursing crisis.

How does your Scholarship Work/Study program approach the nursing shortage uniquely?

GSA develops alliances with U.S. uninversities and their affiliated hospital partners that share our social mission.  We identify and screen prospective Nurse-Scholars, provide a turnkey licensing, immigration, relocation, resettlement and acclimation program, and we provide scholarships for tuition, books and fees for advanced nursing degrees. We’ve awarded almost $10 million in scholarship awards to our nurse-scholars, making us a leading provider of nursing scholarships in the U.S.

GSA is not a staffing company and we do not employ the nurses.  We are a scholarship company that funds the education programs and facilitates international work/study programs.  GSA helps arrange the practical training and/or restricted on-campus employment with university-affiliated hospitals and we support the hospitals in the acclimation and clinical transition of the nurses as they learn how nursing is practiced in the U.S.  Cultural exchange programs and student visa programs are designed by the U.S. government to allow restricted employment as a means of financial support during a period of study.  The GSA nurses also use this experience to learn about the highest clinical standrds of practice and patient care in the United States. 

U.S. hospitals spend billions on contract nursing labor every year.  Participating GSA hospital partners are, in effect, redirecting a portion of their contract labor spending into an investment in the future of the nursing profession.  The program is typically more cost effective than contract labor, and the long-term benefits for the nursing profession are much greater, making it a smarter investment.

GSA programs typically last for several years, with the nurses committed to completing their education program and learning about U.S. nursing practice through their hospital-based practical training and/or restricted on-campus employment. Registered nurses who complete a Nurse Educator or Nurse Leader MSN program are ideally suited for serving their profession as adjunct clinical professors – addressing the root cause of the nursing shortage.

Which nurses are eligible for a GSA program?

International nurses from around the world participate in GSA programs – including nurses from the UK, India, and the Philippines. We draw from our growing database of international nurses and screen them to identify those individuals that possess the requisite background, skills, and motivations to qualify as a GSA Nurse-Scholar.  GSA Nurse-Scholars must pass a rigorous screening process including a variety of interviews, assessments and examinations.  Participating nurses must demonstrate English proficiency, have graduated from a quality education program  in their home country, and have achieved an acceptable grade point average and meet other university admission standards, such as graduate entrance exam scores.  Candidates must be licensed in their home country and have at least one year of recent clinical experience in a hospital.  They must complete background and reference verifications and meet U.S. immigration requirements.  Prior to commencing a GSA program, Because of our stringent screening process, 95 percent of our current scholars have remained in the program and 98% have graduated.

What are the educational programs available for GSA Nurse-Scholars?

The foundation of our GSA program is a three-way collaboration between our hospital partners, our organization and a nursing school. We currently have scholarship programs in place with more than 15 colleges and universities around the country. Most of our education programs are Masters level nursing programs - Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and Leadership and even some advanced practice nursing tracks.  Our university partners also offer a limited number of Baccalaureate completion education programs. 

What sustainability efforts are you involved in that support nursing’s future?

GSA is a global leader in sustainability initiatives.  For example, many of our initial programs were designed as cultural exchange programs in which participating Nurse-Scholars were required to return to their home country for a period of service upon completion of the programs. During this period of service, many of our returning scholars have worked as educators, sharing what they have learned during the course of their study and practice in the U.S.  By requiring this period of service, GSA and its university and hospital partners are helping to replenish the supply of nurse educators in source countries. 

The Philippines has an over-supply of registered nurses relative to available positions within its healthcare system.  The country produces nearly twice the number of nurses needs annually to support its healthcare needs, and thousands of nurses are unable to find paid employment as a nurse.  Due to cultural and economic issues, the Philippines is also one of the leading exporters of nurses globally.  At the same time, the country is facing a crisis due to the shortage of qualified nurse educators.  To help address this crisis, GSA developed the Philippines Nurse Educators Scholarship program, a philanthropic program in which GSA sponsors Masters of Nursing (MSN) scholarships at Philippines’ nursing schools, and requires the recipient to remain in the Philippines for a year after graduation to work and contribute to the development of the nursing profession in that country.

Periodically, we also partner with nursing leaders in the Philippines and the U.S., as well as GSA program alumni to provide educational outreach seminars addressing contemporary issues in nursing practice.  We work with a board of nationally- and internationally-known nurse leaders, including Pauline Johnson, Ph.D, RN, professor emeritus from Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing; and Sister Remy Angela Junio, Chancellor from St. Paul’s University in Manila, Philippines. 

Lastly, GSA adheres to the position statements and standards of practice of Academy Health, the International Council of Nurses, the American Organization of Nurse Executives and the American Federation of Teachers on the rights and recruitment practices for foreign nurses.

The GSA program is just one offering from your organization. What else do you provide and how does it relate to the program?

The GSA program is operated by Health Carousel, which provides a variety of workforce solutions for healthcare organizations.  Other Health Carousel Network member organizations provide traditional domestic and international staffing services.