How we developed a university program in nursing in Turkey

While only the experiences of the faculty of the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing have been discussed, it is my belief that most of the steps would be desirable if not essential in the development of any university-level program. The following is a summarization of the six steps: 1. Select and appoint nurses as teachers who have had university-level preparation for their responsibilities of teaching, student supervision, and curriculum development in a higher educational program, or if necessary, arrange for nurses to secure such preparation prior to their appointment. 2. Formulate a philosophy of nursing and nursing education suitable for the country to guide the development of the school and its educational program. 3. Organize the faculty for curriculum development. 4. Plan the curriculum including courses of study. 5. Plan for the administration of the educational program. 6. Recruit, interview applicants, and select students. The philosophy of the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing is based on the principle that a nurse should cooperate with other health professional workers to work in a constructive manner for the protection and development of the physical and mental health of community, family, and the individual. By establishing a university-level educational program in nursing, we feel confident that the young women who are graduated from our School will have a future that is unlimited in the opportunity to improve health care in Turkey.