Neuroscience nursing in Indonesia: striving for recognition through education and regional collaboration

As a speciality practice area, neuroscience nursing is internationally recognised. In 2014 the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association celebrated its 40^th anniversary. For Indonesian neuroscience nurses, 2014 marked the inaguration of the Indonesian Neuroscience Nurses Association. The following paper provides an overview of health care in Indonesia and development of neuroscience nursing as a specialty through educational and regional collaboration. Postgraduate educational opportunities are open to all nurses in Australia, including neuroscience as a specialty for nurses. However within Indonesia, the focus has been on meeting basic nursing demands, with postgraduate specialisation still in its infancy. The focus on training and producing large numbers of nurses at a basic level has resulted in little regard for the ongoing development and acknowledgement of speciality practice areas, such as neuroscience nursing. The following paper outlines the challenges faced by Indonesian nurses as they strive towards the recognition of neuroscience nursing as a speciality. Through the provision of an overview of current nursing and the health care system in Indonesia, this paper will explore the geographical, economic, political and cultural factors that require consideration when translating experience and expertise.