Nurse education in Jordan: history and development

Abstract

Aim: This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of nurse education and practice in Jordan.

The problem: Several types and levels of nurse education have been established influenced, in particular, by Northern American and British models of nurse education and practice. New colleges with new programmes are being introduced at all levels, with a continuing growth in the number of students graduating from nursing programmes, demonstrating the extent to which the status of nursing is changing in Jordan. However, the development of nurse education in Jordan is not wholly congruent with the development of nursing practice. The majority of nursing activities are embedded within a medical model of care or relate to carrying out medical orders, giving rise to task-oriented care delivery. Jordanian nurses are faced with many challenges in terms of their education and practice.

Methods: There are few published papers that provide a description of this development. The extant literature on nursing history in Jordan comprises descriptions by university academics, official websites of nursing's regularity body, in addition to anecdotal accounts and conference presentations.

Conclusion: Nurse education in Jordan has evolved over a relatively short period of time. Collaboration between academics and healthcare providers is vital in order to shape the role of nurses and nursing in the future. Insights gained from this development may benefit nurses globally who are working towards restructuring their nurse education and practice.