Harmonising Nursing Education: Theory and Practice

A recent study concluded that "in hospitals with high pa tient-to-nurse ratios, surgical patients experience higher risk-adjusted three-day mortality rates and failure-to-rescue rates and that nurses are more likely to experience burnout and job dissatisfaction".1 The minimum standard of 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Caribbean quarterly 2013-09, Vol.59 (3-4), p.76-97
Main Authors: Parks, Marjorie E., Longsworth, Laura Tucker, Espadas, Isidora
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical medicine
Curricula
Curriculum development
Geriatrics
Gerontology
Learning
Medical personnel
Mortality
Nurses
Nursing administration
Nursing care
Nursing education
Nursing schools
PART 1: BUILDING OUR NATION'S SUSTAINABILITY: UWI Open Campus Belize 2010 Country Conference
Patients
Performance management
Shortages
Skills
Students
Teachers
Teaching
Theory
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Summary:A recent study concluded that "in hospitals with high pa tient-to-nurse ratios, surgical patients experience higher risk-adjusted three-day mortality rates and failure-to-rescue rates and that nurses are more likely to experience burnout and job dissatisfaction".1 The minimum standard of 18 nurses per 10,000 population is required to ensure that 80 percent of all childbirths are attended by a professional nurse.2 Belize is below acceptable standards with 15 nurses per 10,000, which should signal to all sectors that educating well-prepared nurses is a matter of high priority for inclusion in national development strategies. Of concern also is the lack of sufficient attention to teaching methodologies that are used to deliver the curriculum, which has implications for the ability of students to be successful at the RENR. Because of the shortage of lecturers, it has been necessary to rely on adjunct faculty and clinical instructors. In year 2, semester 1 students are introduced to the first nursing course, "Nursing Concepts", and the basic nursing skills, which are practised in the laboratory setting. Because of other courses offered in this semester, it has been difficult to schedule smdents to practise these skills in the clinical setting. The Regional Nursing Body should be asked to conduct an expedited enquiry to determine factors that are negatively impacting on the smdents' ability to pass the licensing exam. Since this body is responsible for administering the licensing exam, it can offer insights into the design of the curriculum, methodologies, cite best practices, and make recommendations based on lessons learnt.
ISSN:0008-6495
2470-6302
DOI:10.1080/00086495.2013.11672498