Perceptions and expectations of Baccalaureate‐prepared nurses in Jordan: Community survey

Abstract

The overall purpose of this paper is to describe the process of utilizing community participation for curriculum design to develop a new school of nursing. A brief Community Needs Assessment Survey was carried out in order to explore community perceptions and expectations of Baccalaureate-prepared nurses in Jordan. The sample consisted of 152 participants who were staff nurses, nurse administrators, nurse supervisors, nurse educators, physicians, pharmacists and consumers of services. Data were collected through a self-administered survey form using open-ended questions. Participants were asked to describe their perceptions of nursing and nurses, the desired professional skills and personal characteristics of the Baccalaureate-prepared nurse, important curriculum contents and to provide suggestions or comments for improving the preparation of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses. The findings indicated that nursing was viewed as a caring profession where nurses care for the person both in sickness and health. Several professional skills and personal characteristics emerged as being important for the BSN nurse, including clinical competence, the desire to continue learning, communication skills, ethical and moral character, critical thinking, assessment skills, and computer and English-language skills. The participants provided the desired curriculum contents and suggestions related to the expected skills. Implications for nursing education were discussed.

Nurse education in Jordan: history and development

“…The suggestion is that both advanced education and certification in speciality areas are needed in Jordan to enable nurses to validate and maintain their knowledge and skills over time. This will, in turn, increase the status of nursing in the healthcare system and in the eyes of both the general public and other healthcare professionals (Al-Ma'aitah & Momani 1999;Oweis 2005;Petro-Nustas et al 2001). Moreover, Jordanian nurses holding advanced degrees can make a significant contribution to the profession by supervising and coordinating educa-tional programmes for nurses in different healthcare settings.…”

“…Moreover, Jordanian nurses holding advanced degrees can make a significant contribution to the profession by supervising and coordinating educational programmes for nurses in different healthcare settings. These educational programmes are seen to contribute to professional accountability and autonomy, and promote the development of competent and skilled nurses who are able to meet the changing healthcare needs of the society and adapt to overall complex healthcare systems (Al‐Ma'aitah & Momani 1999; Oweis 2005; Petro‐Nustas et al. 2001).…”

“…Petro‐Nustas et al. (2001) note that in Jordan, nurse academics perceive nursing as an art and science that is concerned with the holistic care of individuals and groups in health and sickness.…”

“…These aspirational views seem to stem from the American influence on nurse education in Jordan and do not reflect the real position of nursing in Jordan. Petro‐Nustas et al. (2001) point out that, in contrast, physicians, pharmacists, and consumers perceive nursing as caring for the sick person, assisting physicians and carrying out their orders.…”

“…Although this does not change the number of nurses in the system, it creates shortages in particular healthcare settings (Zahran 2010). Moreover, female nurses may leave the profession altogether for family reasons or because of inconvenient work schedules and rotating shifts (Petro‐Nustas et al. 2001).…”