Establishing a Rural School of Nursing in Lebanon: A Practical Model

Abstract

Background: Rural nursing practice and education remain a difficult task to achieve in first world countries, let alone in a third world country like Lebanon. The latter sustained 15 years of civil war, followed by ongoing political and economic instability. North and South Lebanon, and Bekaa are rural sites, and are considered the most socioeconomically-disadvantaged geographic locations in the country. This includes severe shortage in Nursing practice and education. Purpose: The aim of this study is to share the experience in the provisional establishment of a School of Nursing in rural Lebanon, hoping that such an initiative would help in lessening the severity in the shortage of qualified nurses rurally, and, thus, in improving health care. Method: The model followed is based on four main pillars, namely approaching the locals, establishing the matrix, designing the curriculum, and setting-up research priorities. Each of these pillars consists of various components at different levels. Results: Approaching the locals and establishing the matrix are essentials and prerequisites for the other two main pillars. The former is time-consuming, requires well-trained human resources, and takes a big proportion of the time allocated to the project. Establishing the matrix, designing the curriculum, and setting-up research priorities are equally-important, and each has its own peculiarities and requirements that are summarized in this manuscript. Conclusion and implications: Setting-up a rural School of Nursing in Lebanon is not a privilege. It is rather a necessity, and requires careful planning and allocation of significant human and non-human resources. However, the experience is very much enjoyable, has a unique flavor, and provides the best solution for the severe shortage in qualified nurses from which the local villages suffer.