Creating a community of researchers: Fostering global collaboration for doctoral prepared nurses and nursing students

Background: Few publications have explored the role that professional organizations play in facilitating global partnerships; particularly regarding research and educational collaboration between doctoral prepared nurses and students residing in low- and middle-income countries with those from high-income countries. Objective: To describe a pilot Spotlight Project which was developed to foster communication and collaboration among global doctoral prepared nurses and nursing students within an international nursing organization. Methods: Twenty-seven members were identified and sent requests to complete the spotlight form created for this project. This form gave potential participants the option to do a 250 to 350-word write-up or develop a video describing their current research/educational initiatives, achievements, short and long -term goals. Results: Eight of the 27 spotlight requests were returned. Information was received from one recent graduate and 7 faculty members. It included descriptions of motivation to pursue doctoral education, future aspirations, and academic and career accomplishments. Discussion: The Spotlight Project could serve as an avenue for nursing students, researchers, and nursing schools; especially those from low- and middle-income countries that typically have limited funding and access to conferences and other professional opportunities to disseminate information about current projects, and a means of celebrating achievements of organization's members. This is also a potential avenue for international research and education collaboration between students and institutions.