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Nursing Resource Centers Module
Sustaining Your NRC
After your NRC has been established, it is important to take steps not only to maintain operations at a level that meets current needs, but also to continuously look for—and be open to—new opportunities that can be used to strengthen the center. In fact, you might want to think of your NRC itself as an ever-evolving opportunity rather than a place limited by the confines of four walls. Always strive to meet today’s needs while at the same time keeping an eye on the future.
AIHA has found that one of the best ways to sustain an NRC is to position the center as an active, progressive educational center by holding a variety of workshops and training courses. By utilizing the center in this way, you continue to present it as a place where new ideas and insights come to light … a place that is constantly evolving and fresh and therefore worth visiting and revisiting time and again.
Collaboration with Other Organizations
Relationships are the most powerful resource you can cultivate. Forging both formal and informal relationships with other organizations can be a valuable tool that serves to enhance the center and build its credibility.
AIHA partnership centers collaborate with local and international nursing organizations, universities from their own country and others around the globe, and a host of institutions and entities that can enhance their work. For more information, read the full NRC Assessment Report.
Factors for Success
AIHA data reveals that the success of NRCs is directly related to four general categories: relationship to host institutions, resources, training, and outside collaboration. Specifically:
- Support from the host institution: A strong relationship with the NRC’s host or affiliated institution was considered the most important factor in determining the success of the NRC. Eleven NRCs indicated that this support is the reason for the center’s success.
- Resources: In this category, the factor most often cited for contributing to success was the skilled, devoted, and enthusiastic NRC staff. Good leadership and lack of turnover were also cited. Another important factor was considered to be material resources: equipment, supplies, and other materials donated by AIHA. A fourth factor was having separate space designated just for the purpose of the NRC.
- Training: Most NRCs mentioned the value of participating in training workshops designed specifically for NRC staff, such as training on organizational issues of running an NRC and computer and Internet skills workshops. Also, participation in AIHA programs and USAID-sponsored conferences were seen to contribute to the strength of NRCs.
- Collaboration: Professional collaboration was noted as being helpful to the success of NRCs. In particular, collaboration with the national nursing association seemed most beneficial, with four NRCs mentioning the benefit of this collaboration. Continued contact with American colleagues and AIHA partnerships was also considered to be a helpful form of collaboration.
Knowing in advance some of the obstacles to success may help you avoid them yourself or give you an opportunity to address similar challenges early on before they become major barriers.
The main obstacles to success include:
- Limited number of current educational resources, particularly in native languages;
- Lack of updated supplies, equipment, teaching and training aids, and computers; and
- Lack of funds was generally considered the largest hindrance to more effective NRC functioning.
- Staffing issues (e.g., lack of initiative of the NRC employees; dependence on volunteers as opposed to full-time, permanent staff; lack and/or shortage of knowledgeable instructors who are willing to donate their time);
- Limited collaboration with other institutions;
- Inability to provide officially recognized educational courses;
- Inadequate physical space; and
- An unfavorable attitude towards nursing.
This is the end of the Nursing Resource Centers module. Using this resource, you will have the tools necessary to establish an NRC that will not only strengthen nursing at your institution, but will contribute to this worldwide effort to recognize the value of nurses and the nursing profession, and support them in their efforts.
Click here to read news articles about AIHA's Nursing Resource Centers.
