Nursing School Hosts Delegation from International Catholic Nursing Organization

Dr. Donna Naturale, associate dean of the School of Nursing and Public Health, and other members of her department hosted a delegation of nurses from the National Association of Catholic Nurses (NACN) and the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants (CICIAMS) Aug. 9 to network and share information.  

The visiting nurses were from Poland, England, Eswatini and the United States and had just attended the 2022 World Congress of Catholic Nurses in Philadelphia. 

Naturale and psychology student Tia Williams ’23 gave the group a tour of Caldwell’s state-of-the-art nursing labs. “Wow,” said Dr. Rosemary Khosi Mthethwa, international president of CICIAMS. “The facilities for students are excellent.” 

Maria V. Arvonio, M.A., BSN, RN, president elect of NACN, was also impressed with the labs and a display in the hallway highlighting the history of nurses in the United States including trailblazers like Florence Nightingale, known as the founder of modern nursing. Arvonio said Williams was an “amazing tour guide” who wonderfully shared the cultural diversity of Caldwell University. Arvonio and Mthethwa said they appreciated the visible images of the Catholic faith  on Caldwell’s campus. 

NACN President Patricia Sayers, DNP, RN, explained that her organization is interested in assisting nursing students who want to integrate faith and nursing practice “where science and the supernatural meet” and are committed to Scripture and the magisterium. With its worldwide network of nurses, she said, the organization provides opportunities for nursing students to engage in student- abroad experience. 

Naturale said “it was an honor and a privilege to meet with international nursing colleagues and discuss our nursing curriculum and tour the campus. We look forward to continuing to build international relationships with Catholic nurses.”  

Dr. Ellina Chernobilsky, Caldwell’s associate vice president for academic affairs, said it was eye-opening to learn that nurses across the globe who root their work in Catholic tradition get together regularly to share their practices and to learn from one another. She appreciated the conversation about the possibilities of collaborations with nurse educators around the world.  “I hope that these conversations are the beginning of a long and fruitful work that unites our students and faculty with other nursing professionals and students around the world.”

Top Photo– Dr. Ellina Chernobilsky, associate vice president for academic affairs (back row, center), and Dr. Donna Naturale (second from right) pictured with nurses from the National Association of Catholic Nurses and the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico-Social Assistants on their visit to campus Aug. 9.