Nurturing Excellence in Nursing through the Visiting Professor Project

In the dynamic realm of nursing education and research, Prof Violeta Lopez, RN, PhD, FACN, emerges as a beacon of inspiration. Her recent involvement in the Visiting Professor Project (VPP), a pivotal component of the Caring for Goodness program, illuminates a path of empowerment and collaboration within the Philippine nursing community. The VPP, conceived through the collaborative efforts of the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network and Shearwater Health, is designed to enhance the research capacity of selected higher educational institutions in the Philippines.

Empowering Research Capacity:

Professor Lopez's visit to the College of Nursing, PHINMA University of Iloilo, exemplifies this commitment. From providing invaluable tips to newly employed academic staff to meticulously reviewing final exams, Professor Lopez fosters an environment where innovative research methodologies and fresh perspectives flourish.

Empowering Faculty and Students:

During a four-day Faculty Development program, Professor Lopez's engagement at the College of Nursing, Western Visayas State University, showcased her dedication to empowering faculty and students. As a resource person, she played a crucial role in shaping the Ph.D. nursing program, aligning it with the faculty’s research specializations and strengths. Through co-teaching graduate research courses, conducting seminars on demystifying the research publication process, and facilitating workshops on crafting concept papers, Professor Lopez's mentorship transcended the conventional, leaving an indelible mark on the professional and personal growth of those under her guidance.

Fostering Research Collaborations:

Beyond individual institutions, the VPP aims to foster lasting research collaborations. Professor Lopez's visit to the Department of Nursing (SAC), St. Anthony's College - Antique, exemplified this collaborative spirit. Through staff development sessions, discussions on assessment strategies, and presentations on developing a research program, she not only shared knowledge but also seeded the potential for future collaborations. Her emphasis on publishing studies in international refereed nursing journals underscored the program's vision of advancing the nursing field collectively.

Navigating Research and Effective Publication Strategies:

At Aklan State University, Professor Lopez's expertise shone as she navigated research and effective publication strategies. Her seminar on enhancing education curriculum review and development enriched local institutions and aligned with the global standards observed in the simulation laboratory she visited. This commitment to global excellence would position the Philippines as a hub for significant nursing education and research.

A Testimonial of Excellence:

Professor Lopez's impact is not confined to the VPP alone. She has left an indelible mark as an adjunct professor at Central Queensland University and a former professor and curriculum development consultant in various countries. Her research interests, spanning transcultural nursing, cancer symptom management, caregiving, and psychoeducational interventions, demonstrate a commitment to addressing diverse healthcare challenges. Professor Lopez's influence reaches far beyond borders, with over S$5 million in research grants and an impressive publication record (nearly 200 journal articles).

Internationally recognized for her contributions, Professor Lopez was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame in 2018 - - the first and only Filipino nurse to obtain the feat -- and received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Obama in 2017. Her success in supervising international Ph.D. and MPhil students and serving as an external examiner for numerous Ph.D. students worldwide attested to her global influence and deep commitment to fostering the next generation of nursing leaders.

In the broader scope of the Visiting Professor Project, another distinguished figure, Professor Rozzano Locsin, RN, PhD, FAAN, has joined Professor Lopez in the journey of academic collaboration, initially contributing to St. Paul University and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology.

The Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network has collaborated with the Association of Deans of the Philippine Colleges of Nursing - Region 6 and the Philippine Nurses Association - Region 6 in implementing the Visiting Professor Project.