Patricia Harvard-Hinchberger: Bridging the Learning Gap for Nurses with Health Proposal Writing

Assistant professor Patricia Harvard-Hinchberger, School of Nursing, attended the First International Nursing Conference titled, “Toward Advancing Nursing,” at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Saudi Arabia last December. More than 600 delegates at the conference explored initiatives from around the world that focus on improving the quality of life for women and children. Harvard describes the depth of the unique issues surrounding the health of women and children, particularly within the patriarchal culture of Saudi Arabia.

“Knowing and understanding the culture is of vital importance because if you don't you could end up offending and alienating both the patient and the family," she says. "One of the problems for women in Saudi Arabia is that they are not always made aware of what is wrong with them as the husband or man of the house is always given the diagnosis first. He then decides whether or not to tell her, which makes it more difficult for them to cope with disease.

“In addition, there are the psychosocial aspects of their lives that sometimes impact their overall health, such as having a sick child at home," she continues. "Language barriers and the more task-oriented approach to delivering care by some nurses does not allow for them to share there concerns. Some patients are not always willing to provide information, particularly if it is of a personal nature, as they also believe that pain is Allah's way of testing them.”

Harvard-Hinchberger underscores the importance of cultural understanding as a key to effective treatment for women and children, saying that, “providing effective and culturally appropriate care requires an intuitive and competent nurse who can pick up subtle signs and symptoms. The biggest barrier occurs if the doctor is a male. The husband may do all of the talking, and a full examination of the patient may not be allowed. If a female doctor is not available, the woman could go untreated for a long period of time. Children experience less of this kind of problem than women, but the lack of a primary care system makes it difficult for both women and children, as they tend not to seek medical attention until they are sick.”

Harvard-Hinchberger presented her work on “Professional Capacity Through Critical Literacy and Mentoring,” which addressed the challenges faced in educating nurses. In her abstract, she writes, “Currently, there are more state, federal, national, and international resources available for health care promotion activities than ever before. Yet, the nursing profession continues to exist without a comprehensive approach to harnessing our collective intellectual goals and objectives.

“We now have the ability to provide evidence-based clinical and educational guidelines for the well-being of our global communities,” she writes in her presentation. “However, the question remains, ‘What are the accepted guidelines for capacity building and how can they be operationalized?’”

Various capacity building strategies, such as developing critical thinking and critical literacy skills and online student peer mentoring, were included in Harvard-Hinchberger’s presentation. She emphasizes collaborative learning and respect for diverse talents and ways of learning as key factors in encouraging nursing students to think beyond the box.

“Providing motivation, opportunity, and the means to write, rewrite and revise health care proposals will enhance critical thinking and creativity,” she says.

Programs designed by graduate nursing students at CSUDH focusing on health issues such as obesity, smoking, and diabetes, were described by Harvard-Hinchberger as “designed to solve real-life community health problems, and show world-wide promise. With these, nurses can successfully compete for health care resources while building their professional capacity.”

- Joanie Harmon

Photos above: Patricia Harvard-Hinchberger, assistant professor of nursing, with Dr. Wafika A. Suliman, RN, dean, College of Nursing & Allied Medical Services, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University

View of the Ministry of Commerce

Hinchberger writes, "First day meeting with all presenters and keynote speaker Dr. Erika S. Froelicher, RN, Professor, UC San Francisco School of Nursing in the front, with white band under head scarf. We have just received our gift abaya (Islamic garment that covers a woman's body, worn over all clothing) and head scarves, which were designed by a nursing student. All women are required to wear them when out in the community."

Dr. Bothyna Z. Murshid, RN, associate dean of administrative affairs and chair, Organizing Committee, with Sami Al Shaalan, director of public relations and media affairs, National Guard Health Affairs