Political History and Development of Nursing Education - Essay Example

Running head: nursing education 14th November Nursing Education Qualified nurses who are competent with their work are needed in many countries. Due to technology advancement, human nutrition has changed since every country tend to produce agricultural products which are enough for the countries and which use the current technology for high quality and enough quantity for the residents (Mule,1986 p 16). These facts has lend to an increase of nursing professionals who are needed to cater for the large number of individuals. This paper seeks to discuss political history and development of nursing education between Kenya and Ireland, and government and nursing organizations influencing nursing education in the two countries. Further it will seek to discuss the current system of nursing education, post graduate (masters) education and reflections on nursing education in Kenya and Ireland. Political history and development of nursing education Nursing in Kenya before 1950s was being operated by individuals who had no structure that was convectional; this was based on the fact that poverty level was high. As the result of the poverty level, it was impossible to train and equip nurses with the required nursing practices. The fact that nursing lacked convectional structure meant that government support was not offered and thus nobody could stand and call for national strike which would pressure the government to support nursing organizations (Chinn, 1994 p 30). The well wishers from the United Kingdom provided running support and thus pressure mounted and effort to have legislation on nursing started. It was in 1983 when the first documented legislation Nurses Act Cap 257 was passed by all the nurses’ council of Kenya so that their right and demand could be aired in a manner that was respectable. In 1980s, Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse (KRCHN) was registered and the aim was to train the nurses so as to provide comprehensive care to the entire communities who were supposed to be served. In 1990s diseases which were complex like cancer, HIV/AIDS among others started to emanate. This made cap257 to be emphasized on to make sure that nurses were equipped and effectively trained. In Ireland, the political and legislative act dates back in 1900 where nursing was developed earlier due to the government and other stakeholders support. The first legislation in Ireland was passed in 1919 while in Kenya it was passed in 1950s which was termed as Nurses Registration Act which was later known as Nursing Council for Ireland (Kelly and Joel, 1996 p 97). The act ensured that practices and other high professional competence in nursing were achieved through training and technology based nursing practices. In Ireland, nursing itself was the agency that regulated the practices and training since earlier in 1900 the nursing board was organized and had convectional structures set apart (ODwyer, 2007 p 40). In Kenya, United Kingdom was one of the agencies that supported the nursing practices in Kenya but later when the nursing council of Kenya was formed the government supported the nursing board fully. Government and Nursing Organizations influencing nursing education To ensure that good working environment and valuable practices for nurses is achieved the government and other private sectors work along side nursing organizations in Ireland to make sure quality services to the patients are provided. Advanced nursing practices are ensured by Nursing Organization in Ireland so as to achieve support from the government and other private sectors. The partnership that exist between the government and Nursing Organization in Ireland plays a major role of ensuring training required is achieved and making sure that support to implement all the reforms adopted is achieved in specified time. For example, Ireland Practice Nurses Association has partnership with the government to ensure that expansion on nursing practice is achieved. Additionally, Nursing Organizations in Ireland together with the government work together to ensure that all the nurses have the required competencies for the certification (McCarty and Higgins, 2003 p 20). Being a unique country that provides quality services to patients, Ireland has the advantage since the government provides a lot of support. In contrast with Kenya nursing organizations have been organized in appropriate manner to ensure that they pressurize the government so that their reforms are adhered to. Additionally, they work together to ensure that new proposals and support required is achieved to ensure good working environment and quality and accessible health services to all the communities. Implementation for the reforms is required and thus the reason why Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) involves the government to ensure that health issues are addressed fully. In Kenya, it is the role of the government together with Nursing Organization to ensure that nursing professional is safeguarded with the community health care. The government together with the Nursing Council of Kenya ensures that training and other important instructions are provided to the individuals who require registration under the passed Nursing Act. The government and the Nursing Organization still make sure that the curriculum and examinations are prescribed and rules are followed. In Kenya, there are diploma hospital based schools for training nurses. Combination of nursing education programs that are similar to United States system exist for ensuring that nurses are adequately trained. In contrast, in Ireland diploma hospital based schools have been replaced by nursing education in university settings. Current system of nursing education The current system of nursing in Ireland has transitioned from hospital based schools to degree level which makes Ireland a unique country when it comes to nursing education. Ireland is among the best countries with qualified nurses since one cannot be registered as a nurse if he or she has not attained a degree nursing programmes and thus having benefits to the Irish residents. In Kenya, the current system of nursing education is hospital based thus the only qualification to be nurse is a diploma level. This is based on the fact that the government provide limited support and thus to pursue a graduate education in nursing is not easy due to lack of resources that are required (Mule, 1986 p 73). Post graduate (master) education Ireland is among unique countries that is known for providing graduate nursing education and thus post graduate education is available and thus having professional nurses. Health sector is not responsible for educational institution but the board is there in Ireland to make sure that all the graduate and post graduate nurses are registered and thus provide quality services to the patient. In contrast, in Kenya there is no post graduate education and the only highest level of education for nurses is only hospital based education. Diploma level of education is the highest and thus Nursing Council of Kenya registers nurses who have achieved hospital based education. Reflection on nursing education In conclusion, what I was surprised with is that Ireland is one of the countries which were aware of convectional structures on nursing making it possible to provide high quality services to the patients and providing good working environment for the nurses. In Kenya I am surprised since poverty levels made the Kenya not to have structures set to ensure nursing board exist on behalf of nursing professional. Later in 1958, convectional structures were set in Kenya comparing with Ireland that established them in 1900. Additionally, I was surprised to understand that many countries do not offer graduate nursing education for example Kenya only offer hospital based education while in Ireland one cannot be registered as a nurse if one does not have a degree level of education. Lastly, if the governments and the Nursing Organizations do not corporate then the possibility of providing high quality services to the patient will be low. References Chinn, P. (1994). Developing the discipline: Critical studies in nursing history and professional issues. Gaithersburg, Md.: Aspen. Kelly, L. and Joel, L. (1996). The Nursing Experience. New York: McGraw-Hill. McCarty, M. and Higgins, A. (2003). Moving to an all graduate profession: preparing preceptors for their role. Nurse Educ Today 23(2): 89–95 Mule, K. (1986). Nursing education in Kenya: Trends and innovations. International Nursing Review, 33(3), 83-86. ODwyer, P. (2007). The educational preparation of nurses in Ireland. Nursing Education Perspectives, 28(3), 136-139 Read More