Educational Preparation Nursing

Nursing

The profession that uses existing and new knowledge to solve problems creatively and meet human needs within ever-changing boundaries.

Educational preparation for nursing practice

The different levels of education required to become a nurse, including practical or vocational nursing education, registered nursing education, and graduate education in nursing.

Practical or Vocational Nursing Education

A program that teaches graduates to give bedside nursing care to patients, typically a 1-year program with less theory hours than clinical laboratory hours.

Registered Nursing Education

Three types of educational programs (diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate) that lead to licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Diploma in Nursing

A 3-year, hospital-based program that provides strong clinical experience in direct patient care.

Associate Degree in Nursing

A 2-year program that prepares nurses to give care to patients in various settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.

Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN Program)

A 4-year degree program that provides a general education base with a concentration on nursing at the upper level, allowing nurses to provide care to individuals, families, and communities.

Graduate Education in Nursing

The master's and doctoral degrees that prepare nurses for advanced practice roles, educational settings, managerial roles, and research in nursing.

Nurse Practitioner

A highly skilled nurse who functions with more independence and autonomy than other nurses, performing nursing assessments, physical assessments, counseling, teaching, and treating health problems.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

A nurse with advanced experience and expertise in a specialized area of practice, such as gerontology, pediatrics, or critical care, who fulfills roles as a clinician, educator, manager, and researcher.

Nurse Midwife

A nurse who provides independent care for women during normal pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Nurse Anesthetist

A nurse with advanced education in anesthesiology who provides general anesthesia for patients undergoing surgery.

Nurse Administrator

A nurse with a master's degree in healthcare administration who manages and controls patient care.

Nurse Educator

A nurse with expert knowledge of theory, classroom teaching methods, curriculum development, and higher education who develops and delivers nursing education.

Continuing Education

Formal education programs, courses, seminars, and workshops that nurses participate in to improve and maintain nursing practice, fulfill professional learning needs, specialize in a particular area of practice, and learn new skills and techniques.

In-service Education

Instruction or training provided by a healthcare agency or institution to increase the knowledge, skills, and competencies of the nursing staff employed by the institution.

Professional Nursing Organizations

Organizations that set standards for practice and education in the nursing profession, such as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Emirates Nursing Association (ENA).

Standards of Nursing Practice

The guidelines and expectations for nursing practice, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Standards of Professional Performance

The guidelines and expectations for professional nursing practice, including quality of practice, professional practice evaluation, education, collaboration, ethics, research, resource utilization, and leadership.

Nurse Practice Acts and Licensure

Laws established in each state to regulate the practice of nursing, protect the public, create state boards of nursing, define legal requirements and titles for nurses, and establish criteria for education and licensure.

Licensure

The legal authority given by the board of nursing for graduates of approved schools of nursing to take the licensing exam and practice nursing in a specific state.

Certification

The process of maintaining certification through ongoing continuing education and clinical or administrative practice.

UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council (UAE NMC)

The regulatory body established in 2009 in the UAE to oversee nursing practice and ensure compliance with the Scope of Practice and UAE laws and regulations.

SEHA

The organization in Abu Dhabi where all nurses must register to work.

Ministry of Health License & Prevention

The license required for nurses to work under the Ministry of Health & Prevention in the UAE.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

The organization where nurses must obtain a license to work under in Dubai.

Code of ethics and professional values

The set of principles and values that provide the foundation for nursing practice and guide interactions with patients, colleagues, and the public.