DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Madison Healthcare, (a leading provider of recruitment, training and placement services for registered nurses who received their nursing education outside the United States), have partnered to create the International Healthcare Practitioners Program. The purpose of the program is to provide continuing education and professional training for healthcare practitioners from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“We believe our partnership with Madison Healthcare is in line with the kind of educational opportunities our university is currently offering, and plans to offer more of in to the very near future,” said Dr. Beverly W. Jones, provost and vice-chancellor, NCCU’s Office of Academic Affairs. “Not only will international healthcare practitioners have the opportunity to acquire the education and credentials needed to practice here in the United States, they will contribute strategically to nursing education on our campus as a whole,” Jones said.

According to Dr. Tun Nyein, interim dean, NCCU’s University College, all participants in the International Healthcare Practitioners Program possess a bachelor of science degree or diploma from an accredited university or nursing school and are registered to practice nursing in their home country.

“Madison Healthcare’s history of providing hospitals and other healthcare facilities with qualified nurses from Europe, India, the Philippines, the Caribbean and select countries from Africa, was the impetus for us to move forward with this partnership, and we are more than confident that the NCCU/Madison partnership will be a successful one,” Nyein said.

A recent report from the American College of Healthcare Executives estimates that approximately 75% of hospitals are currently experiencing a nursing shortage and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012.

“This is a strategic partnership for both Madison Healthcare and NCCU, thus NCCU will be responding anew to the current demand to address the nation’s shortage of nurses through the International Healthcare Practitioners Program,” said Dr. Emmanuel Oritsejafor, associate professor and interim director for the Office of International Affairs at NCCU.

According to Dr. Lorna Harris, chair, NCCU’s Department of Nursing, the partnership between Madison Healthcare and NCCU is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when university departments work together.

“The integration of Madison Healthcare and other NCCU departments such as the Office of International Affairs and the University College is an excellent example of how diverse resources have joined forces to accomplish this educational venture for healthcare practitioners,” said Harris. “As the nursing profession continues to explore innovative and nontraditional approaches to proliferating nurses into our society, the NCCU Department of Nursing is pleased to be involved in the investment of nurses here and abroad. Piloting this initial program for international nurses who have chosen to come to our country for this educational experience will continue to promote the local, national and international demand for nurses in the 21st century,” Harris said.

“This unique educational opportunity for professional international nurses with active leadership from the NCCU Department of Nursing will continue to promote the importance of multiculturalism in nursing and healthcare by healthcare providers. More than 100 hours of continuing education will be delivered by professionals in businesses, community health care institutions, and hospitals as well as from the NCCU nursing faculty. This collaboration purports to help actualize the mission, vision and core values of the university as well as provide safe and efficient practitioners in our country. We are looking forward to this inaugural educational experience,” said Carolyn Henderson, NCCU’s Department of Nursing.

“We believe this is a win-win situation for both NCCU and Madison Healthcare,” said Bertha Williams, director of Nursing, Madison Healthcare. “Given the projected levels of shortage of registered nurses, coupled with the fact that enrollment in nursing schools in the U.S. is not increasing enough to meet the projected demand for nurses over the next fifteen years,” Williams said.

For more information about the International Healthcare Practitioners Program at NCCU, contact the university’s Division of Continuing Education at (919) 530-6629, or email Barrett Brown at blbrown@nccu.edu.