Guidelines 

International Exchange Program- Guidelines

How Does the Program Work?	Requirements	Guidelines
Deadline	Review Process	Disclaimer

The ENA Foundation International Exchange Program provides a venue for emergency nurses from the United States to engage with emergency nurses from different countries to develop collaborative international relationships to improve emergency nursing practice, education, research and cultural competence. The International Exchange Program also presents an opportunity to compare different health care delivery models and to develop process improvement plans to address challenges in U.S. emergency nursing. 

How Does the International Exchange Program Work?

In 2011, the ENA Foundation launched the new International Exchange Program. Two successful applicants were selected and have the opportunity to travel to another country for a period of one week. The program allows for each U.S. emergency nurse will be matched with or will find an emergency nurse from the other participating country. To help in this process, the ENA Foundation will collaborate with other nursing associations from other countries to assist U.S. emergency nurses with identifying foreign emergency nurses interested to participate in the International Exchange Program. Participants will make arrangements to host an emergency nurse from the other participating country on a reciprocal basis.

Scholarships Available

A total of two scholarships were available in 2011. Each scholarship will be of a maximum value of $1,000 to defray transportation costs. Accommodation will be provided by the respective host.

Scholarships applications for 2012 will be available after January 1, 2012.

Requirements

An applicant must:

1. Be a current member of ENA for the past 12 months;
2. Provide a copy of a current, unrestricted U.S. registered nursing license;
3. Provide a letter of support from her or his emergency department director/manager;
4. Agree to participate in the development of an article for publication in ENA Connection;
5. Be willing to host or arrange for hosting of a colleague from the exchange country in return;
6. Have a valid U.S. passport.

Recommendation

• International health, travel and worldwide liability insurance

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Guidelines

• International exchange participants will shadow a hosting emergency nurse while in the exchange country. Any contact with patients while in the host country will be under the direct supervision of clinical staff in the host country. Participants will have no direct responsibility for patient care while in the host country.
• Participants are expected to facilitate the professional hosting experience for an exchange emergency nurse at a U.S. hospital emergency department.
• Participants are expected to plan how they will host their colleague from the exchange country.
• Participants will be ambassadors for U.S. emergency nursing and ENA while in the exchange country.
• Participants will be expected to write a summary article (500 words) or engage in an interview with ENA Connection editors to share the impact of the exchange program.
• Applicants are responsible for making arrangements for proper international travel, health care and liability insurance.
• Travel must be completed by December 31, 2011.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2012             Selection Announcement: May 1, 2012.

Review Process

The chairperson of the ENA Foundation board of trustees and two members of the ENA Foundation board of trustees will review and score applications. Applications will be evaluated on factors such as the completeness of the application, preparation for hosting an international colleague and the extent to which you have prepared your employer for the exchange.

Disclaimer

ENA and the ENA Foundation are not liable for any health-related and nurse-patient (professional) issues in the framework of the International Exchange Program.