Nursing Education in some European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Member Countries: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Background: The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has aimed at unifying, harmonizing, and ensuring consistency of higher education systems in Europe for over two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate the similarities and differences in the training programs of nurses in selected EHEA member countries.

Methods: Comparative analysis was used. Based on three sources: research articles, internet databases, and emails sent to nursing education institutions. Three databases, namely Science Direct, PubMed, and ERIC, were utilized.

Results: Regarding educational institutions, the majority of countries' nurses graduated with a Bachelor's degree, except for Estonia, Russia, and North Macedonia. Russia had the shortest education duration (2 years and 10 months), while other member countries had programs lasting between 3-4 years. In countries where colleges were still active, diploma or certificate programs were offered, such as in Estonia and Russia. Only North Macedonia did not offer any continuing education for nurses, and Estonia, Latvia, and France did not have PhD programs in nursing.

Conclusion: Nurses constitute the largest occupational group in healthcare, and the quality of medical care relies on their theoretical and practical training. Despite efforts to unify nursing curricula through the Bologna Process, significant differences still exist.