Professional development of nursing in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development of nursing in Saudi Arabia and to recommend further directions for development of professional nursing in that country.


METHODS
A comprehensive needs assessment was performed in 1996 by an on-site consultant to: (a) evaluate the existing nursing system at the ministry, regional, and hospital levels, (b) describe the functional interrelationships of a nursing division within the Ministry of Health, and (c) prepare a work plan outlining the program elements that a nursing division could address to foster high-quality health care in the public sector.


METHODS
The needs assessment was conducted through direct observation, interviews, and review of existing documents in the Ministry of Health and representative hospitals, health centers, and health institutes. Data were collected about six factors as they pertained to the Ministry of Health Nursing Services: (a) key organizational and managerial activities, (b) the external environment, (c) the social system, (d) employees, (e) nursing services and research, and (f) formal organizational arrangements.


CONCLUSIONS
The data showed a young country and an equally young nursing profession struggling to meet the needs of a growing population. The highest priority for the advancement of nursing in Saudi Arabia is the creation of a kingdom-wide system of nurse regulation. Pressing needs include regulation of professional standards, licensure of all nurses practicing in the Kingdom, accreditation of educational programs, and formation of a national nurses association.
Tumulty
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Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 14, New Orleans, LA 79118, USA. gtumulty@loyno.edu
D000068:Accreditation; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010559:Personnel Management; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012945:Social Values