Comparative Analysis of Doctoral Programmes in Nursing in Latin America

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education in Latin America
• Health Sciences Research

Background:

• Doctoral education in nursing is crucial for advancing the discipline and generating health knowledge.
• Latin America has seen a recent expansion in higher education offerings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize and analyze doctoral programs in nursing across Latin America.
• To map the geographic distribution and curricular features of these programs.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive review of 59 doctoral nursing programs in Latin America was conducted.
• Data was collected from official university websites and analyzed using multiple correspondence analysis.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in doctoral nursing programs was observed in Latin America.
• Programs are concentrated in Brazil, Peru, and Mexico, with recent growth in Guatemala and Uruguay.

Conclusions:

• Doctoral nursing education in Latin America is expanding, supporting the discipline's growth and knowledge generation.
• Persistent challenges include research funding, inter-university cooperation, and a lack of Advanced Nursing Practice programs.