Evaluation of the Community Health Nursing Course of First Year Proficiency Certificate Level Nursing in Nepal

• Main Author: Mandira Shahi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Makhdoomi Printers 2014-01-01
• Series: Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health
• Subjects: Environmental Health; Community Health Nursing; Public Health Nurse
• Online Access: http://gjmedph.com/uploads/O5-Vo3No2.pdf

INTRODUCTION Community health is very much important in nursing education. It is essential because it maximizes the health status of individuals, families, groups and the community through direct approach with them. The main purpose of the study was to identify the gap in Community Health Nursing I course in Proficiency Certificate Level first year nursing program in Nepal. METHODS Mix methods of research having qualitative and quantitative method were used in the study. Data were collected from 12 subject teachers, 35 nursing graduates and 61 Proficiency Certificate Level first year nursing students. The study used structured, five-point rating scale and open ended questions according to Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis for the self-administered questionnaire. FINDINGS Common view points of the three sector's respondents (student, nursing graduate and teachers) regarding the strengths of curriculum are: curriculum is based on Primary Health Care approach and covers preventive and promotive aspects of health. Regarding weaknesses, they said that there is inadequate time for practice, there is lack of innovative methods and materials, the course didn't cover new trends of environmental pollution and changes, global warming, greenhouse effect, climate change and deforestation etc. Similarly, they added that curriculum is not revised regularly and there is insufficient supervision in field. Likewise, regarding opportunities, they said that there is job opportunity in social organization as Community Health Nursing/Public Health Nurse. Moreover, they said that there is lack of employment scope as threats point. CONCLUSION The paper concludes that new issues and trends of community health nursing should be added, and curriculum should be revised regularly.