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Technology is wonderful, offering almost immediate
connection throughout the world and into space. Yet,
the Columbia shuttle tragedy certainly played like a
nightmare in the failure of technology, once again,
to bring home seven courageous astronauts. I wonder
how many people in the world were watching as the space
shuttle disintegrated before our eyes.
I can recall watching as two men in bulky suits walked
slowly and gingerly on the lunar landscape in 1969,
with the whole world watching on television. Neil Armstrong's
words, "one giant leap for mankind," still
resonate in my mind. Then we had the Challenger tragedy
17 years ago and we were aghast with shock and discouragement
about our technology in space. But onward we went, and
now this event has brought world attention to the hazards
of space travel.
As I communicate electronically with colleagues around
the world, I would like to share the words of Professor
Michael Herbst of the University of South Africa: "I
could not believe my eyes and ears when … I heard
about the horrific Columbia incident. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to all the affected families, friends
and the people of the U.S."
But what happens if everything depends on technology?
The quality of education relies on the quality of the
educator. Today's nursing faculty may know "what,"
but not many know "how." There has to be a
balance between what is taught (content) and how it
is taught (method).
Health care has included information technology with
expanding capability for more than two decades. Nursing
leadership in both academia and patient care delivery
systems need to form partnerships to enable the optimal
use of technology in teaching nurses for all settings.
Let us not be complacent in the use of technology in
nursing education. We are facing a serious faculty shortage,
coupled with a severe nursing shortage.
When I led nursing practice, research and education
from 1987-91 in Saudi Arabia, distance learning for
nurses to complete bachelor's and master's degrees was
established. Several nurses were able to earn degrees
while living and working abroad. Certification exams
for many specialty areas also were made possible, thus
enhancing the quality of care and promoting professional
growth for nurses from many different countries.
As we look at the successes and failures of technology,
we should remind ourselves that no one makes progress
without making mistakes. If we do not continue to develop
technological partnerships in nursing education and
practice, we will make little progress in nursing education
for the future. Let us stretch our limits into cyberspace
and envision the world of nursing education of tomorrow.
Discuss this and other topics with your colleagues
at www.nurseweek.com/rnvillage
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