Nursing education in Bangladesh: analysis through an ethnonursing lens and critical social theory
Date
2012-08-28
Authors
Soomal, Permjit
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Abstract
Bangladesh, like many other countries, is facing a nursing shortage. Overall, Bangladeshi
nurses are inadequately trained, poorly paid, and disrespected as professionals. The Prime
Minister of Bangladesh recognizes these challenges and has committed to upgrading nursing
education. In 2009, she set a goal to revise the nursing education curriculum to International
Council of Nurses standards, which in turn she hopes will enhance the social dignity of
Bangladeshi nurses and the quality of care provided. In addition, the Bangladeshi Nurses Council
acknowledges the need to educate nurses as critical thinkers. This context impacts how nursing
education is offered.
The purpose of this project is to holistically explore the social, historical, educational, and
economical factors that influence nursing education in Bangladesh, with the goal of
recommending teaching strategies that are culturally contextual and imbedded in the Caring
Science Curriculum (Hills & Watson, 2011) for Canadian nursing volunteers teaching at
International University of Business and Technology (IUBAT). I draw on my personal
experience as volunteer nurse educator at IUBAT and the theoretical lens of Critical Social
Theory to frame an analysis and an understanding of nursing education in Bangladeshi context.
In addition, I employ Leininger’s theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality and the
Sunrise Enabler Model (Leininger, 1998; Leininger & McFarland, 2006) to develop pedagogical
strategies for visiting Canadian Faculty. The goal of the project is to assist volunteer educators to
deliver culturally contextual nursing education that aims to transform didactic education,
presently utilized in Bangladeshi nursing education, to student-centered education embedded in
critical thinking and the Caring Science Curriculum.
Description
Keywords
nursing education, ethnonursing, nursing shortage, Bangladesh, International Council of Nurses standards