BACHGROUND:
Health system reconfiguration in Saudi Arabia as a response to changing
demographic and related health needs was an important and timely driver for
the development of nurse education. For example, health system
reconfiguration has shifted care from the hospital setting as the central
focus of care, to more primary and preventive care throughout the community
(Albejaidi, 2010). “Rapidly
expanding clinical knowledge and mounting complexities in health care mandate
that professional nurses possess educational preparation commensurate with
the diversified responsibilities required of them” (AACN, 2000).
The Saudi government is trying to meet international standards when it comes
to nursing degrees, it still has a lot of issues that need addressing. There
is a vast number of nurses within Saudi Arabia that are not currently
employable due to the restricted requirement and limited seat for bridging
programme to convert their nursing diplomas into Bachelor’s
degree. Diploma nurses and funding for health care fall under the
authority of Ministry of Health (MoH), in order to bridge the gap above, case
study used to critically assess the implications of Bachelor degree nurse
education, as a baseline from which to develop a national nursing strategy
for workforce planning.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:
Goffman (1974) frame analysis used as a framework to collect and analyse the
data on three level of analysis, macro, meso, and micro levels. Goffman’s
frame analysis is the way to explore what happens and determine which is
exceptional in a given case or experience.
METHODS:
Qualitative case study analysis was chosen as a significant qualitative
research strategy, it provides a useful set of information about the minimum
entry to nursing practice in Saudi Arabia. In this research, the “case”
is (the policy of entry requirement to nursing practice) that needs an in
depth analysis by exploration of the boundaries that may have an external or
internal effect. Semi structure interview used to collect data from key
informant (N=24) in three level (macro, meso and micro level)
complemented by documentary analysis.
RESULTS:
Combining and analysing the conclusions of each of the three groups (micro,
meso, and macro level participant groups) by using content analysis, the data
revealed commonality across groups, demonstrating significant findings that
support cross-case themes in the data. These themes support the
following conclusions drawn from across the three levels.
Theme 1:
General acceptance and agreement with the minimum requirement of BSN for
nursing staff to support adequate knowledge and communication requirements
for quality nursing practice
Theme 2:
Factors affecting degree attainment included personal commitment/passion for
self-improvement, private versus government institution education quality,
financial factors (incentives or promotional opportunities or obstacles).
Theme 3:
Benefits of BSN of knowledge supporting confidence and decreased absenteeism,
broader knowledge base, greater communication and language skills, enhanced nursing
skills and responsibilities, opportunities for advancement and increased pay,
and increased quality of nursing practice, patient safety and outcomes, and
quality of care.
Theme 4:
Perceived importance of both education and experience, with a focus on
education supporting knowledge and patient care through advancement and in
depth understanding.
Theme 5:
Recommendations for improvement in the differentiation of distinct nursing
job descriptions based on education level attained and a focus on quality of
patient care through education, validation and regulation of standardization
of BSN requirement, and adequate supervising.
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