DEVELOPMENT OF NURSING EDUCATION IN JAMAICA, WEST INDIES: 1900-1975.
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1985
Number of pages: 411
Subjects: Education, History of.
Description: The forces and factors that influenced the development of nursing education in Jamaica, West Indies, 1900-1975, were the basis of this investigation. Although the process of evolution bore many similarities to that which occurred in other developing and industrialized countries, there were unique differences. These could be attributed to three centuries of British colonial rule and slavery. The pervasiveness of colonialism in dispersing customs and cultures of African slaves and their mixed offspring in this predominantly black island-nation planted the seeds of a prescriptive class structure based on differences in skin tones, that persisted beyond the colonial era.

Nursing, which evolved as an unskilled, lower-class, predominantly female occupation, endured discrimination and neglect for many years, despite gallant attempts to upgrade through education. Repeatedly, demonstrations of the government's reaction to crises, natural disasters, social, economic, or political upheavals, marked progress, or the absence of it, in nursing education. In most instances, educational reforms resulted from external intervention, rather than internal, mainly because of powerlessness within the profession.

Categorically, developments in nursing education occurred in three phases: (1) the period that preceded the establishment of a representative organization and passage of the Nurses' Registration Bill represented conflicts, as attempts were made to introduce formal education for nurses and establish standards; (2) the period that followed, which was marked by enforcement of standards and efforts to gain international parity; and (3) the period that began since national independence in 1962, during which attempts to establish nursing education in the educational arena have been underway.

Throughout the study, certain persons and events figured prominently in changes. The rapidity or willingness with which the government responded to requests for reform was related to the sources of influence. Only since the founding of a formal nurses' organization did nurses have a role in decisions that affected the profession.

Despite an inherent reluctance of the government to respond to nursing's requests for educational relevance and currency, considerable progress occurred. Much of the credit is due to a nucleus of nursing innovators and leaders who mastered the political strategies of timing and negotiation.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-03, Section: A, page: 0630.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1985.

School code: 0055.