Analysis of nursing education in Ghana: Priorities for scaling-up the nursing workforce.
In this cross-sectional study, the strengths, challenges and current status of baccalaureate nursing education in Ghana were described using a descriptive design. The World Health Organization Global Standards for the Initial Education of Nurses and Midwives were used as the organizing framework, with baseline data on the status of nursing education from two state-funded universities in Ghana presented. A serious shortage of qualified faculty was identified, along with the need for significant upgrading to the existing infrastructure. Additionally, the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the available training slots. Faculty and infrastructure shortages are common issues in nursing education and workforce expansion; however, in low-resource countries, such as Ghana, these issues are compounded by high rates of preventable disease and injury. An understanding of the strengths and challenges of nursing education in Ghana can inform the development of strategies for nursing workforce expansion for other low-resource countries.
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. sabell@umich.edu
Sue Anne
SA
Bell
Global Reach, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Sarah
S
Rominski
Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Victoria
V
Bam
School of Nursing, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Ernestina
E
Donkor
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Jody
J
Lori
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D003906:Developing Countries; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005869:Ghana; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult
Ghana; baccalaureate nursing education; human resources for health; nursing workforce