The development of a conceptually based nursing curriculum: an international experiment

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Curriculum Development
• International Healthcare Education

Background:

• Nursing programs in the USA require a conceptual framework for accreditation.
• The necessity of conceptual frameworks in nursing curricula was initially unfamiliar in Kuwait.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the process of selecting and implementing a conceptual framework for a new nursing program in Kuwait.
• To assess the feasibility of adopting American-based curriculum concepts in international nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Faculty engagement through discussion, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
• Collaborative framework selection and operationalization involving faculty participation.
• Establishment of a critical review board for oversight.

Main Results:

• Initial faculty resistance to the concept of a conceptual framework was overcome.
• A conceptual framework was successfully selected, operationalized into courses, and implemented within two years.
• Faculty participation was crucial for the framework's acceptance and sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Conceptual frameworks can be successfully integrated into nursing programs in non-Western contexts.
• Faculty involvement and tailored strategies are key to overcoming resistance and ensuring successful implementation.
• This approach provides a model for international nursing curriculum development.