HEC Equivalence Issues | Recomendations Proposed by Dr Rafat Jan in 2017

ISSUES ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATION OF NURSING EDUCATION AND ITS EQUIVALENCY WITH HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (HEC)

THE PAKISTAN NURSING COUNCIL 

The PAKISTAN NURSING COUNCIL (PNC) is an autonomous, regulatory body constituted under the Pakistan Nursing Council Act (1952, 1973) and empowered to register (license) Nurses, Midwives, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and Nursing Auxiliaries to practice in Pakistan. PNC was established in 1948.

PAKISTAN NURSING COUNCIL 

Pakistan Nursing Council is a significant participant in the health care delivery system in the country and dedicated to provide support for the professional development and competencies of those who study Nursing, Lady Health Visitors and Midwifery.

The aims of PNC also include monitoring for implementation of national standards in Nursing, Health Visitors and Midwifery education and practice by providing Registration, infrastructure and arranging continue educational opportunities for registered members.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PNC

• PNC sets the curriculum for the education of Nurses, Midwives, LHVs and Nursing Auxiliaries.
• PNC inspects educational institutions for approval based on established standards.
• PNC provides registration (license) to practice.
• PNC maintains standards of education and practice.
• PNC plays an advisory role for the overall benefits of Nurses, Midwives, LHVs and Nursing Auxiliaries in the country.
• PNC maintains an advisory role for the Federal and Provincial Government regarding nursing education and nursing services.
• PNC communicates policy decisions regarding nursing education and the welfare of nurses, taken in Council meetings, to Governments, Nursing Institutions, NEBs and Armed Forces Nursing Services for implementation.
• PNC prescribes penalties for fraudulent registration by intention of pretense, and removes persons from the Register for professional misconduct. 

NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMMS 

Background

There is currently a General Nursing diploma program in Pakistan. In early days before 2007, PNC encouraged the people in the field of nursing having Matric with Science/Arts/O-Level and allowed to enter into the General Nursing diploma; the nurse midwife is a Registered Nurse (RN) as well as a Registered Midwife (RM) for females. In case of male candidates, one year specialty diploma in lieu of midwifery was offered. Later on, PNC also allowed specialty diploma to both male and female candidates. After, 2007, only those candidates were permitted in the diploma program, who have Matric with Science. Furthermore, the diploma program is planned to be phased out after year 2018. The Nurse Midwife mainly serve in the hospital setting. 

In 2004, PNC announced the transitional program of Master in Nursing (03 Years) for the Govt. senior nurses having Diploma in Nursing & Midwifery along with one year teaching administration and ward administration plus at least 10 years’ working experience. The transitional MSN has been closed after introducing Post RN BSN (02 Year Program).

Later on, Post RN BSN (2 years) has been introduced for the diploma graduates in Nursing & Midwifery so that the education of the nurses could be enhanced to Bachelor Degree level and professional nurses should be educated as per International standards. 

Based on the ICN standards and skillful educated nurses, PNC announced the Generic BSN (04 Year) for the interested candidates having FSC Pre- Medical and Master in Nursing (02 Year) for the nursing graduates to get/enhanced their education at the Master level.

There are currently following Educational categories in Pakistan, including: 

Diploma Programs

1. Diploma in Nursing (3 Year Program)

2. Diploma in Midwifery (1 Year Program) for male any post basic specialty.

Degree Programs

1. Generic Bachelor of Nursing (GBSN) (4 Year Program)

2. Post RN BSN (2 Year Program)

3. Bachelor in Midwifery BSM (2 year Program)

4. Master in Nursing MSN (2 Years)

Internationally, nurses have been developed through 3 years diploma and many countries offered one year midwifery program. Western countries including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as Eastern Mediterranean Regional Countries; follows similar trends. As health care became complex day by day and advancement of career of nurses, it is inevitable for the nursing and midwifery professionals to grow via higher education. The barriers for equivalence of degree only jeopardize the education then employment.  

Therefore, on behalf of nurses and midwives community the Pakistan Nursing Council presents following challenges and recommendations for HEC officials consideration. We hope that there will be an amicable solution between 2 regulatory bodies.