Dilemmas in Nurse Practitioner Education: The Experience of Botswana

1. Dilemmas in Nurse Practitioner Education: The Experience of Botswana Dr. Cynthia N. Pilane, RN/ DLitt et PhilPhone: (+267) 355 2270(w) University of Botswana(+267) 3971309 (h) Mobile: (+267) 72263973 Email: pilane@mopipi.ub.bw Onalenna S. Seitio, RN/RM, BEd. MSN/CSPhone: (+267) 3953033 Institute of Health Sciences –GaboroneMobile: (+267) 72619577 Email: oseitio@gov.bw Patricia T Ncube, RN/RM BEd. MSNPhone: (+267) 3552398 University of Botswana(+267) 3926105 Mobile: (+267) 72575643 Email: ncubept@mopipi.ub.bw

2. Introduction The current nursing education system in Botswana does not support continued learning: • No recognition of prior learning • Repetition of content • All diploma holders are awarded a blanket one year exemption when they want to pursue degree • Cost for attainment of degree is prohibitive

3. Rationale for articulating FNP with BNS Making the programme cost effective in terms of length of time and financial burden and redundancy. • It takes a minimum of twelve (12) years to qualify with BNS. • To complete BNS from FNP costs a total of P 310 488.00 • to decrease unnecessary redundancy and repetition.

4. Comparison of the FNP, BNS and MNS Programs • Entry Requirements • Mandate of the Program • Duration • Number of Credits • Academic Regulations

5. Course Equivalence • Health Assessment • Family Nursing • Health Promotion • Physiology/ Patho-physiology

6. Pharmacology/ Pharmaceutical Interventions/ Pharmacotherapeutics • Communication and Study Skills • Computer Applications in Health Care/ Computing and Information Skills • Children and Adolescents in Health and Illness

7. Sexual and Reproductive Health • Statistics • Research Theory • Role Development • Disease Diagnosis and Management in Adults and Older Adults

8. Disease Diagnosis and Management Practicum • Research Project • Epidemiology • Primary Care of Children and Adolescents (Practicum)

9. Application of Principles and Practice of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (Practicum) • Primary Care of Adults and Older Adults (Practicum)

10. Example ofcoursecomparison HEALTH ASSESSMENT: • FNP 401- 4 CREDITS, FOCUS ON ACQUISITION OF ADVANCED SKILLS • Inbuilt PRACTICAL HOURS (1 CREDIT) • BNS 300- 3 CREDITS, FOCUS ON ACQUISITION OF BEGINNING Skills • PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN OTHER COURSES • MNS 604 -3 CREDITS, FOCUS ON ACQUISITION OF ADVANCED Skills • PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN OTHER COURSES.

11. Analysis • Entry requirements for both FNP and BNS are the same. • Duration of FNP and BNS programmes, and total credits differ because of repeated content. • FNP credits build on the basic General Nursing which is also three years long • BNS completion does not add value, instead content repeated

12. Out of the 19 courses done in the FNP programme: • twelve (12) are the same with MNS. • better coverage, depth and focus than in BNS. • Five (5) courses (17 Credits)- not offered at BNS • Only two (2) courses are identical in both FNP and BNS.

13. FNP credit deficit • basic sciences (21 credits) • liberal arts/optional courses (41 credits), making a total of 62 credits. • 17 credits done in FNP but not in BNS, make up for optional courses, • FNP deficit is therefore only 45 credits to get a degree.

14. Conclusion and Recommendations According to the above analysis: • FNP should do only 45 credits to qualify for BNS. • FNP be exempted from CHN and Psych Mental Health courses. • FNP to be articulated with the Masters program • Other post basic programmes be analyzed and articulated with BNS. • University of Botswana to expedite articulation process.