Nursing

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Background

Attainment of optimum health is the desire of every individual. Health of the people is an Index of the level of development of a country. The achievement of a country in preventing disease and promoting health depends upon the contribution of all members of the health team particularly that of nurses, who form a major group.

Education is the key of all progress and achievement. Educational preparation of nurses at higher institutional baccalaureate level, who contribute primarily towards the health of the community, needs constant attention keeping in mind the changing health needs of the society.

As nursing is a practice-oriented profession that deals with the life of individuals, it needs competency through community based team training, and hospital based in different settings by ongoing integration of theory and practice followed by an internship or professional practice.

Nurses also deal with preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative roles. This is true with the minimum internationally acceptable standard as seen in the nursing curriculum of India, Kenya and Tanzania. Based on these the duration of the nursing course shall be four years for generic (regular) students with the preparatory origin and with exemption of some courses for advance standing students (registered nurses admitted with previous basic nursing diploma).

Ministry of health and Ministry of education generally believe that the nurse prepared at the baccalaureates level is a generalist who functions as a practitioner, scholar and leader. In clinical practice, the nurse collaborates with other health care professionals and serves as direct caregiver, health teacher, and client advocate. By functioning autonomously, the nurse implements the nursing process for individuals, families, groups and communities throughout the life cycle.

Baccalaureate nursing education has, as its foundation, the study of general education courses from natural and social sciences as well as basic courses from the biomedical sciences. Nursing courses provide for the attainment of knowledge and skills and the development of attitudes and values essential to competent nursing practice and beginning professional leadership. The goal of this particular program is to prepare a competent professional nurse and to provide a foundation for graduate education programs in nursing.

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