Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse Conversion Curriculum

Abstract

JUSTIFICATION The new direction that Education Policy has given is to help produci capable and morally sound citizens equipped with power of knowledge, hi intellectual development, correct attitude and multiple developmental skil all that are necessary for the rapid social and economic advancement Uganda. This will help to liberate people from undue poverty, dependenc disease and indignity. The greatest percentage of the Ugandan population, which is approximate 25 million, live in the rural areas and just a very meagre population, is in urb places. The predominantly curative health care services are concentrated in the urb and peri-urban centres, which eventually are useless to the rural pers because of their inaccessibility. In view of the Burden of Disease studies in Uganda (1995) revealed that 4 of the premature deaths were due to the 'Ten' Preventable Diseases. The HSSP 2000/1-2004/5 was developed to reduce morbidity at mortality from major cases of ill health in Uganda. The Minimum Heal Care Package was formulated to ensure quality simple health care for tl communities of Uganda. The Health Sector Reform and Decentralization has called for training of multipurpose cadre of health professional who will effectively deliver tl Minimum Health Care Package stated in the National Health Policy of 199 The existing health workers are mainly employed at secondary and tertia health facilities and these are mainly in the urban. The rural people are ti most disadvantaged especially economically and require these services trained personnel. The nursing cadre (Generic) at enrolled level is trained to offer curative heal service. This creates a disparity in the type and quality of service delivered the people. Enrolled Nurses and Midwives have to go through a training program that equips them with knowledge, attitude and skills that will enable them to deliver curative, preventive, promotive and rehabilitative health care to the masses. The skill mix that the Generic Nurse will be given during the Comprehensive conversion training will make her/him equitable to the direct Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse currently being trained. This curriculum meets the Government policy to establish Health Centres at village, parish, sub-county and county level throughout the country. These Health facilities will require the multi-skilled nurse who will offer the range of health care service needed by the rural person and yet economically manageable. The suitable candidates for training are already available. Every Enrolled Midwives, General Nurse and Psychiatric Nurse requires this training. The existing training infrastructure in the schools that train the Generic Nurses and Midwives can be converted into schools of Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing. There are available trained tutors, clinical instructors in the various specializations who only require an orientation in the methods of implementation of this curriculum. There are vast practicum sites, which will enable effective skills training and competency acquisition.