St. Angela’s College, Sligo is the Irish partner in an innovative European nursing project called TraNSforM: ‘Training Requirements and Nursing Skills for Mobility in health care,’ which included recent visits by College lecturers to Finland, Germany and the UK. The nursing profession has traditionally allowed graduates to consider mobility across Europe and around the world and this project will assist in making the preparation and transition easier.

TRaNSforM is a partnership project with seven European countries: Ireland, UK, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Finland and Turkey.  In June last year, St Angela’s College, Sligo hosted the European delegation and this past month the Project Leader for Ireland, nursing lecturer Ms Evelyn McManus, visited Nottingham on the next stage in the process. ‘The visits focus on what knowledge and skills nurses need to mobilise successfully to other countries,’ explains McManus, “we [European delegation] are putting together all the information into a format which will be accessible and user friendly to the nursing population across Europe.” She notes that the purpose of the project is not only for nurses to prepare for the differences in the health care environments in different European countries, but also the culture, which is beneficial to nurses who are caring for patients.

Dr Anne Taheny, President of St Angela’s College, Sligo describes the importance of the Project ‘TraNSforM promises to have a great impact on the profession across Europe.’ She also commended the Department of Nursing & Health Studies and in particular Ms Evelyn McManus, Ms Edel McSharry and Ms Lisa Winters, lecturers involved in the Project Team. ‘Beyond the immediate benefits TraNSforM will have for European nurses, these lecturers are bringing the Project learning to their teaching of undergraduate nursing students in the College.’

‘Recognising the nuances of culture can ensure that Irish nurses are giving the best possible patient care,’ explains McManus. She noted the same was true for other European countries understanding Irish culture: ‘The visit to Sligo last June was very significant for the European delegation as prior to the visit some negative perceptions of Irish people were evident.  This visit changed this perception and gave an insight into the commitment of the Irish people and an appreciation for Irish culture.” added McManus. The outcomes of the project which is due to finish in July will be published in summer 2012.

Image: Ms Evelyn McManus, Ms Edel McSharry, Ms Lisa Winters, lecturers in the Department of Nursing & Health Studies – St Angela’s College, Sligo and members of the TRaNSforM Ireland Project team