The following is an excerpt from an article about a chance meeting during a recent Global Experiential Learning Program (GEL) trip to Switzerland. The article appeared in “Reflections on Nursing Leadership,” a magazine published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). It communicates nurses’ contributions and relevance to the health of people worldwide.
One evening in Geneva: Dinner with the CEO was impromptu, but will never be forgotten
Bringing together nursing students, faculty members, and a CEO in an international setting doesn’t always require weeks of planning to have an inspirational outcome.
Nursing students and faculty members from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, USA, met a study-abroad group from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA, while attending an International Council of Nurses orientation on the first day of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. At a luncheon the next day, Pamela Cangelosi, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, associate dean for academics at Shenandoah, saw Patricia Thompson, EdD, RN, FAAN, chief executive officer of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), and invited her to join students from both universities for dinner that evening.
“The planning was all done on-site, and it worked out beautifully,” Cangelosi says.
The dinner on 19 May was inspirational and informative for all. “Pat Thompson was so motivating,” notes a Shenandoah student. “She made it clear how, as nurses, we can impact health care worldwide.” Another student says Thompson encouraged the group to “just go for it and be part of something amazing—something that could truly create positive change.”
Thompson spent time talking to each student—individually and in small groups—after the dinner. The occasion was an opportunity for STTI’s CEO to meet directly with students eager to learn more about global aspects of nursing, and Thompson was impressed with the students’ desire to understand the roles of various international nursing groups and to learn more about STTI.
“I enjoyed engaging with these emerging nurse leaders,” Thompson says. “Each one was energetic, goal-oriented, and taking advantage of this opportunity to learn about nursing and global health.”
Read the full article here.