Abstract:
The primary aim of the study was to determine whether Australian undergraduate
nursing curricula incorporate the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare
graduates for the current health care environment in Australia. The eligibility criteria
for inclusion in this evaluation included Australian university undergraduate pre-registration
nursing programs. All of the 29 universities offering such programs in Australia
were contacted by letter to the Deans of Nursing and their current curriculum document
requested. Twenty six of 29 (90%)eligible Australian curricula were included
in the curriculum evaluation. A comprehensive and flexible curriculum evaluation
framework was developed for the analysis of the 26 curricula. The evaluation revealed
the ways in which nursing curricula balance various aspects of courses, respond to
changes in society, education and health care industries. Overall it was found that
graduates are well prepared for practice. However questions of quality and coordination
of clinical learning were highlighted for future focus and major challenges lie in
addressing excessive workload and assessment.Also work needs to be done in improving
the inclusion of issues around the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
(ATSI)peoples, people living in remote or rural Australia and older people.
