Page 46 - Nursing Education in Malaysia

NursiNg EducatioN iN Malaysia

and (b) at institutional level which looks at the delivery of care (standards
for profesional performance) provided by the nursing division of respective
institution.

(n) The need to identify key performance indicators (KPI) for nursing, as a profession.
Globally, at least four basic nursing competencies have been identified as being
indicators for quality nursing care performance. These four indicators: critical
thinking and problem solving, knowledge-based practice, clinical competence
and accountability and ethics have been the focus of a recent study conducted
locally by Nursing Education Task Force, Ministry of Higher Education, the
result of which revealed many challenging issues.

3. Nursing Research

(o) The development of an effective research enterprise in nursing to support
evidence-based practice initiatives which can be made possible only through
the preparation of nurses who are highly qualified to undertake research.

(p) The need to place evidence-based practice (EBP) on nursings’ agenda, and
accordingly, the need to conduct at least two kinds of research: outcomes
research and intervention research to support EBP.

4. Nursing Autonomy

(q) Having its members classified as a profesional group within the government
service structure, at par with other profesional groups (eg. In medicine, dentistry,
pharmacy) instead of the current “support” group status.

(r) Being in possession of the autonomy to control its own practice through an
independent Nursing Board/Council headed by a nurse.

(s) The establishment of an independent professional Body, capable of lifting
nursing profession to a level where nursing could be seen by the public as active
in politics, professional and financial issues affecting healthcare and the nursing
profession.

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