Objectives: To investigate the perceptions of nurse educators’ regarding the trends, challenges and strategies of Nursing education and nursing practice in the 21st century in Guyana and in India.
Methods: The study used a qualitative approach. A convenient and purposive sample of 15 Nurse educators including 8 from Guyana and 7 from India were recruited. Prior to the study all the human subjects-related documents and procedures were approved by the appropriate IRB in Guyana and India. Participants were given the information about the purpose and methodology of the study. Each Interview lasted between 30 and 45 minutes and was audiotaped. Audiotapes were subsequently transcribed verbatim. Interview data was analyzed using a computer software program known as, R Computer Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA). The data was analysed using grounded theory analysis by doing inductive thematic content analysis.
The study used inductive method in developing a set of codes as well as a deductive approach in organizing framework for the codes. The inductive method provided opportunity for comprehensive code structure which promoted the quality of subsequent analysis.
Results: The data successfully developed themes and identified unique challenges limiting quality Nursing education and practice in Guyana and India.
Guyana: The main themes developed under the challenges in Guyana were need for human and material resources, professional developmental opportunities and curricular issues.
Specific challenges that data successfully identified were lack of qualified and adequate nursing faculty, large classes, lack of access to online learning resources and current textbooks, lack of equipment in the Skills lab and Hospital settings. Further issues identified were inadequate number of advanced prepared nurses to review curricula in the nursing programmes. Nurses are not being prepared for the Regional Examination for Nurses Registration. There is critical need for Diploma nursing programmes to be upgraded to Bachelor’s degree programme. Consistent opportunities for the faculty development at Master’s and PhD level is critical.
Themes identified to address these challenges were, adequate supply of human and material resources, ongoing curricular reviews, student welfare services, collaboration with the regional and international training institutions, professional development opportunities.
India: Themes that were developed regarding the challenges of Nursing education and practice in India were lack of professional image, unemployment and poor salaries, lack of scope, lack of autonomy and advocacy, limited opportunities for leadership roles at the policy making level, inadequate clinical experiences, need for in service education and maintaining professional standards.
The data has identified themes to address these challenges were improving the professional standards and the image of nursing profession, fostering in service education, providing adequate clinical experiences, teamwork and collaboration among health care professionals, improved salaries.
The researcher further made recommendations that the governments of Guyana and India to immediately set realistic budgets and strategic five-year plans to achieve these goals. The Government of Guyana must without delay reduce the “push” factors in nursing emigration, especially salaries. The Government of Guyana should embark of a strategic plan to have all nursing education accredited on a par with the rest of the Caribbean by the year 2020. Ministry of Public Health, University of Guyana and the Ministry of Education and NGO’s should collaborate to foster standards in nursing education and practice in Guyana. Regional and international Nursing organizations should actively support the sharing of nurse educators with less developed countries, including sponsoring sabbaticals in Guyana and offering online accredited and degree programmes.
Conclusion: The findings supported that quality education is the key prerequisite for quality nursing workforce. There is an urgent need for investing on human and material resources and fostering professional standards. Consistent, sustainable, innovative and collaborative approaches should be adapted to meet the challenges of Nursing of education and practice in Guyana and India.