Swedish Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Radiology Nursing. A Curriculum Study

• Published in: Nordic journal of nursing research 2014-03, Vol.34 (1), p.24-28
• Main Authors: Lundgren, Solveig M, Furåker, Carina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Curriculum; diagnostic radiology nursing; education; Forecasts and trends; Health Sciences; Hälsovetenskap; integrated code; major subject; Nursing education; Practice guidelines (Medicine); radiography; Radiology; Radiology, Medical; Study and teaching
• ISSN: 0107-4083; 2057-1585; 2057-1593; 2057-1593
• DOI: 10.1177/010740831403400107

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and analyse what characterise curricula and syllabi in diagnostic radiology nursing programs in Sweden after the implementation of the Bologna process. Background: Significant changes in diagnostic radiology nursing educations and in radiographers' clinical work have occurred during the last years in Sweden. Method: Curricula and syllabi documents were collected and used to analyse data at eight universities and university colleges. Content analysis was used. Findings: The findings show that the mix of theoretical, clinical studies, grades, elective studies, content and scope between subjects, vary among programs. In most programs, the major subject is described as multidisciplinary, closely linked to nursing and medicine, and the majority of other subjects are integrated into the major subjects. The average degree of clinical study is 30 %, which means that theoretical study cover 70 % of the programs as a whole. Conclusion: The steering policy documents differ in terms of major subjects, content, structure, grades as well as integrated and collective codes between diagnostic radiology nursing programs in Sweden. Whether newly educated radiographers are professionally and academically skilled for their coming profession is a matter of further research.