Strengths And Weaknesses Of The Nursing Education System

Weaknesses of the educational system could be the potential confusion for students, lack of consistency in knowledge for all nursing students, and so forth. Other major issues in the nursing educational system include the need for increased faculty, faculty development challenges, nursing as part of an integrated healthcare team or workforce, and curriculum changes (specifically aligning the education with the practice environment). The proposed changes will attempt to set forth strategies to combat some of the nursing education systems devastating weaknesses.

Proposed Changes As discussed there are multiple areas where changes could occur in order to strengthen the nursing education system. One proposed change is faculty development.

Additionally, this theory allows for each faculty to be creative and seek out their own information. Malcolm Knowles also provides us with the Adult Learning theory; this theory has five assumptions: self-concept, adult learner experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning, and motivation to learn (Pappas, 2013). Knowles ' theory also has 4 principles that should be applied to adult learning, one of which includes involving adults in the planning and evaluation of their instruction (Pappas, 2013). Nursing faculty must possess a commitment to continued learning. As new medications, procedures, technology, research, and discoveries unfold; faculty must be well diverse, educated, and prepared to share this new knowledge with their students. The nursing education system must be able to set forth guidelines for the continued education of their own faculty members. Faculty should foster their own knowledge through continued education hours; completion of online courses, certificates, or higher degrees; journal subscriptions; local and national level memberships to organizations such as the American Nurses Association; and attending state or national conferences.

According to National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (2010), expanding the use of technologies such as simulation, distance learning, and virtual worlds can assist in preparing both faculty and students for the complex healthcare delivery systems. Although the use of technology is crucial to both faculty and students, so too are the practice models and learning opportunities; especially supporting training in rural areas (National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice, 2010). It is suggested that financial increases be provided specifically by the U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice,