Educational challenges ahead of nursing from the perspective of faculty members of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Development of nursing profession is faced with new challenges. Role of education is important for advancement of nursing. Faculty members are experienced in education, and they are authentic sources for determining of the educational challenges in nursing. The aim of this study was to determine the educational challenges in nursing from the viewpoint of faculty members of nursing and midwifery in University of Mashhad. Methods: This study is a cross- sectional study conducted on 31 cases from faculty members of nursing in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences by using census method in 2010-2011. A combination of data collection methods was used for collection of data in two phases: preparation of assessment tool (questionnaire) and survey of the desired construct among the samples. After determining the validity and reliability, a questionnaire was given to the samples to answer. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 11.5 using statistical tests. Results: The most important threats in nursing include “Separation of fields such as anesthesia and operating room from nursing” (%93.6), “Increasing gap between clinical practice and education of nursing due to the increase in education of students and instructors” (%90.3), “Being Theoretical courses in master’s and PhD program” (%77.5), “Decreasing the students’ motivation” (%77.5) and “Establishing new schools of nursing” (%64.5). The most important opportunities in nursing include: “Need to informatics education in education of nursing” (%93.5), “localizing resources based on new issue and problems” (%84), and “Paying attention to evidence- based education in nursing education” (%83.9) and “adjusting the educational content according to ideals and standards of nursing” (%80.6). Conclusion: Based on the results, Returning of anesthesia and operating room branches to nursing after bachelors’, “Revising of educational content based on needs and localizing resources”, “Using new methods in nursing instruction”, “continuing the training based on clinical experiences” and “Using applied research in clinical environment” are suggested.