Challenges and Solutions of MSc Education in Nursing: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Alteration and adjustment of nursing care system in 21st century depends on its success in designing the nursing pedagogical models. This study was conducted in order to identify and explain the challenges in postgraduate (MSc) levels in nursing and to represent appropriate solutions. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in two phases. The existing challaenges were identified through "Focus Group Discussion" method in phase one and for the second, "Delphi Technique" was utilized to prove the challenges and represent the solutions. Sixteen MSc students participated in phase one and thirty panel members including nursing managers of teaching hospitals, faculty members and executive staff of nursing school, and eight MSc students and PhD candidates attended in phase two. FGD data analysis was done through content analysis by conventional approach. For phase two through Delphi Technique, consensus has been gained on final options after three rounds. Results: This study identified post graduate (MSc level) challenges including 1)Cultural and professional identity, 2)Work atmosphere and 3)Imbalance between theory, research and clinical practice. The most important solutions to these challenges were respectively as follows: “to adopt strategies to improve the nursing image”, “to specify determined positions for postgraduates of MSc and to define their duties”, and “to specialize nursing education in MSc degree and upper levels as well as representing new disciplines such as intensive nursing and cardiovascular nursing”. Conclusion: Challenges identified through FGD, were proved via Delphi Technique. The offered solutions were also supported by review of literature. The information derived from this study could be used as a base for further investigations in the application of these solutions.