The academization of nursing: implications for Arab enrolled nurses in Israel

The trend towards the abolition of second level (practical) nurse education, begun decades ago in Western countries, is being adopted in Israel. In 2004 practical (enrolled) nurses constituted approximately one-third of the Israeli nursing labour force, many of whom were Arab-Israelis. Practical nurses in Israel are now expected to upgrade their education to fi rst (registered) level nurse.

To understand the current situation of Arab-Israeli practical nurses, taking into account the cultural, ethnic, socio-economic and gender aspects of their lives.

A qualitative, ethnographic approach, using in-depth interviews with 13 Arab-Israeli nurses.

The women's negative attitudes to the conversion course were not related to their otherwise positive attitudes to education in general. The conversion course was affected by adverse material conditions; cultural factors and feeling of helplessness. The threat of loss of professional nursing status as a result of the changes in nursing gave rise to a great sense of personal loss.

As reported in other countries, the academization of nursing in Israel is obstructing one of the major routes of social mobility for women in the weaker sections of society. This situation is experienced as particularly harsh, because of the overall oppressive situation that Arab women in Israel suffer.