Nursing Echo COLLEGE OF NURSING NEWSLETTER

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1 Nursing Echo KUWAIT COLLEGE OF NURSING NEWSLETTER Issue 01 June 2007 The purpose of the newsletter is to educate readers about the exciting new developments and ongoing programs at the College of Nursing in Kuwait. Message from the Dean The newsletter team paid a courtesy call on the Dean, College of Nursing, Dr. Fatimah Al-Kandari, at her office in Shuwaikh. She expressed her support for the premier issue of the newsletter and said that having an ongoing newsletter would enhance communication within and outside the college. News of events in the college will be available to alumni graduates, those seeking to make contact with the college for admission or other purposes, and professional friends in various institutions worldwide. In fact, many sister colleges already have newsletters and it is joyful to produce a newsletter at this early stage of the college history. On the subject of progress being made by the college since opening in 2004, the Dean stated that she was pleased with the development of programs and the increasing population of student nurses. In addition to the Associate Degree in Dr. Fatimah Al-Kandari, Dean Nursing (ADN), the college has a vibrant Baccalaureate program. The first set of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students will graduate this June. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) has also approved the Diploma in Critical Care Nursing Specialization. The college is strengthening relations with various organizations in the Middle East region and overseas. The college has linkages with reputed institutions in Europe, the United States, and Canada. The recent collaboration with the Kuwait Oil Company is a good sign of the cooperative nursing efforts occurring in the community. Dean Fatimah stated: The future of the College of Nursing is very bright! Having the continued support of PAAET, and the dedicated, competent work of faculty and staff, success for the new College of Nursing is assured. I hereby send good wishes and best of luck to all those students and employees who are affiliated with the college. I also send my regards to the readers of the premier issue of Nursing Echo! External Examiners from Canada Visit the College The college has established a professional relationship with the nursing departments of two prestigious institutions in Canada: the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan. During the spring semester, 2006, two Canadian nursing professors, Dr. Beth Horsburgh and Dr. Lynnette Stamler, visited the college in the Dr. Beth Horsburgh and Dr. Lynnette Stamler capacity of external examiners. The purpose of their visit was to evaluate the ADN and BSN programs at the college, provide feedback about academic strengths, and make recommendations for improvement. During their week-long visit, Dr. Beth and Dr. Lynnette met with nursing students in the clinical setting; spoke to alumni; reviewed course curricula and contents; audited nursing classes, laboratories, and clinicals; and met with leaders in the Ministry of Health. They also spent time with faculty members outside of the college, learning about Kuwaiti history and participating in Kuwaiti cultural activities. At the conclusion of their visit they presented a very positive report to the PAAET headquarters office.

2 The College is Growing! Collaboration with Kuwait Oil Company Mr. Ahmed Al-Kandari is the college manager (finance) and is also in charge of the physical development. During an interview with the newsletter, Mr. Ahmed explained that he is pleased with the upsurge in the number of student applications and subsequent admission of so Mrs. Aliaa, Mrs. Khawlah, Vice Deans, Dr Fatimah Al- Kandari, Dean, Dr. Mishal Al-Mashan, Deputy Director General, Dr. Yacoub Al-Refae, General Director PAAET, Dr. Jamal Al-Gamem, Dr. Abdulhadi Ahmed Mr. Ahmed Al-Kandari, Manager many qualified students. As a result, the college has received increased funding from PAAET. His priorities are to improve the lounges and cafeteria services for students. In addition, plans are being developed to install a covered car-park for the boys side and to complete the landscaping of the college grounds. He would also like to see each teacher equipped with a computer and wants to maintain state-of-the art facilities in the college. An important collaborative agreement has been signed between The College of Nursing and the Oil Services Sector Company (OSSCo). Both parties will share facilities and expertise based upon their respective needs. The College will provide Continuous Nursing Education (CNE) to OSSCo through their nursing staff at Ahmadi Hospital. These programs will take the form of seminars, lectures, and workshops. The topics presented will be based upon the needs of the Ahmadi Hospital and will include subjects such as research, management, ethics, nursing process, documentation, core competencies, and specialization training. The College of Nursing laboratories and library will be made available to Ahmadi Hospital personnel for their practice and study. In exchange, the Ahmadi Hospital will allow the College of Nursing to have access to facilities and resources for the training of nursing students. They will also offer their hospital premises for student projects involving client education, health teaching, health fairs, and joint research projects between the hospital and the college. It is believed that this collaborative effort will increase recruitment of Kuwait student nurses to work for Ahmadi Hospital. It is also hoped that this relationship will increase admission of nursing staff into the college s nursing programs. Maintaining a strong, collaborative relationship between the two organizations will help to improve the quality of nursing in Kuwait. The New College of Nursing Building Dr Yacoub & Dr Jamal Shaking Hands

3 The New Library Top Ten Health Websites The college librarians, Mrs. Amani Al-Dosari and Mr. Mohammed A b d u l - Mohsein, readily welcomed the newsletter to the library. They described the exciting developments in the new library. Some of the many facilities available to staff and students include circulation services, reference resources, internet databases, and periodical archives. Male and f e m a l e students use the library on specified days and times. Staff and students are all very pleased with the expanding facilities and services of the college library. Every week new and progressive textbooks, references, educational CD-Roms, and scientific journals are added to the library collection. Just received in the library subscription services are the Journal of General Virology, the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and the Journal of Professional Nursing. If you are interested in Islamic medicine and science during the Middle Ages, and the important role it played in the history of Europe, check-out the online exhibition and digital projects about Islamic Medical Manuscripts from the National Library of Medicine: arabichome.html Also, the College of Nursing library has important linkages with other libraries. Libranet services are available for the College of Nursing and collaborating institutions like the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). We can now search the Gulf University (GUST) and American University of Kuwait (AUK) library collections through the OPAC system ( libranet/library_ara.htm). There are many nursing websites available for educational and creative purposes. The librarians circulate regular updates on website information for nurses. The following websites were graded from the Medical Library Association (MLA) as the top ten health websites. Cancer.gov: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Familydoctor.gov: Healthfinder: Healthfinder: HIV Insite: Kidshealth: Mayo clinic: Medem: MedLBImedlib_entry.cfm Medlineplus: Noah: New York Online Access to Health: Health Fair The Ministry of Islamic Affairs sponsored a Health Fair last fall in the Khaldiya area. The College of Nursing provided a booth which included blood pressure and glucometer readings; health teaching; and brochures on diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and cardiac problems. Students Helping with Health Fair Final-year male students, Mr. Tareq Yousef, Mr. Jaber Bager, Mr. Aeyd Homoud, and Mr. Adel Ahmed, did an excellent job of assessing health data and providing health education. At least 300 men attending the mosque and religious functions at the Ministry, visited the booth to receive information. Clinical Instructor, Mr. Ismael The clinical instructor who accompanied them, Mr. Ismael Al-Kandari, reports The students were really nursing experts. They did a great job and many attendees said they were happy to see male nurses becoming more visible in Kuwait.

4 1st BSN Class Graduates in June 2007 The College of Nursing is proud to announce the graduation of the first set in the Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN) program. Seven wellqualified students will graduate in June Two of these students offered to give interviews to the college newsletter. I waited a long time to come to this BSN program. I am so glad I came here. I really love nursing and I look forward to working in the hospital. -- Fatma, BSN Student H.H. Amir presenting certificate to a nursing graduate 2007 PAAET Graduation Ceremony His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah graced the graduation ceremony of PAAET held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at the College of Basic Education in Shamiya. The graduates were students from all PAAET institutions who successfully completed their final examinations during the academic year. H. H. the Amir was welcomed by the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Mrs. Nouriya Subeeh Al-Subeeh; the Director General, Dr. Yacoub Al- Refae; and members of all PAAET faculty. The College of Nursing was well represented by the Dean, Dr. Fatimah Al-Kandari, Vice-Dean (Academic Affairs), Mrs. Khawla Yacoub, and Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), Mrs. Aliaa Al-Hashim. The opening speech for the graduation ceremony was presented by Mrs. Nouriya Al-Subeeh, the Minister of Higher Education. Mrs. Nouriya praised H. H. the Amir s sponsorship of education in the country as a way of achieving total social development. She also stated that the Public Authority has achieved great accomplishments throughout the years in fulfilling the needs of the society. Many of the doctors in the hospitals tell us that we are different from other nursing students. They tell us we speak good English, we know how to solve problems, and we have good communication with the patients and their families. I think they are right. We had a really good education at the College of Nursing and we are different from other nursing graduates. We all want to be the best nurses possible and we want to help make positive changes in Kuwait s nursing. -- Laila BSN Student The College of Nursing wishes these special graduates a long and successful career in the important profession of nursing. We know they will be outstanding leaders in their field. Many dignitaries and families witnessed the presentation of diploma certificates to the graduating students by H.H. the Amir. In appreciation of his patronage, H.H. the Amir was presented with a gift by the PAAET Director General. Students of the first BSN class

5 News from the Departments The college offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for generic and post-basic students. Students are taught how to provide direct nursing care to individuals, families, and groups through the following academic programs: Biomedical Sciences, General Science, English Language, Nursing Science, and Clinical Experience. BSN Program: Students of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are taught to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and decision- making skills in dealing with healthcare and nursing issues. The chairperson of the BSN program is Dr. Marcelle Al- Naquib. In an interview with the newsletter, she reported that she sees much potential for the growth and impact of the college on healthcare in Kuwait. She hopes to see students learning and mastering increasingly advanced skills. She is confident that the BSN curriculum is designed to be of the highest standards required to meet healthcare demands in the future. Vice Deans: Mrs. Aliaa and Mrs. Khawlah ADN Program: Students of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program learn to integrate theoretical concepts from nursing theory, biological, and social sciences with the complex demands of research-based clinical nursing. They apply the nursing process when providing care for clients and families, thus developing responsible and accountable nursing behaviors. Dr. Florence Omu is chairperson of the ADN program. She stated that more and more Kuwaiti nationals are attracted to the program. They have a vision of completing their nursing studies, working in hospitals, and making a difference in their communities. She told the Newsletter, I am very pleased with the caliber of students we are accepting and graduating at this time in the college history. Biomedical Department: The Biomedical Department offers courses to students in all college programs. Anatomy, physiology, human nutrition, applied nutrition, biostatistics, and pharmacology courses are taught through theoretical lectures and practical demonstrations. The pharmacology content includes knowledge related to interactions of various medications with living systems. Nutrition lectures focus upon the functions of food, the basic nutrients, and the effects on human health. Mrs. Khawlah and College of Nursing Faculty All faculty members do their best by helping students, taking part in research, and other college activities. The department is excited about the pioneering efforts of the newly established college. English Language Department: English language is a core component of education at the college. All students are required to take English courses each semester in order to improve their understanding and communication with patients, families, and medical personnel. BSN students take four courses of English Language during their education at the college. Each course is composed of 10 hours instruction per week. ADN students are required to take five courses, each 2 to 5 hours per week. An English Language laboratory will soon be available for student use. Dr. Amal Al- Dali, chairperson of the English Language Department said, While there is a dearth of English teachers, students still need more contact hours. A committee is revising the curriculum, more clearly spelling out the objectives of each course. She envisions the English Language becoming even more prominent than it already is at the college, especially as the library is open, and English books and resources are more readily available to students. Dr. Florence, Dr. Marcelle and Nursing Faculty

6 Student Activities There are some exciting new developments in the college centered upon support of the student population. In particular, Mrs. Aliaa Al- Hashim has been appointed as Vice Dean of Student Affairs. She is a teacher in the Biomedical Department and now provides even greater services to students through her new role. In particular, Mrs. Aliaa says she really wants to make a difference for students here at the college. I want them to feel good about the progress they are making. We will start awarding certificates for outstanding academic performance each semester. I want nursing students to be excited about coming to the college each day. I want them to enjoy their time here while also getting an excellent education. We are now offering many support and social activities for students and plan to keep developing these for the future. Vice Dean Mrs. Aliaa and Nursing Students The college has also appointed Mrs. Reem Al-Duwaila as the head of Student Activities office. Her duties include providing a social welcoming for new students each semester, counseling students who are at risk of failing, and organizing lectures and exhibitions at the college. Guest speakers have lectured to students on subjects such as responsible participation in the society; harmful consequences of drug use; and religious studies. She recently organized the Exhibition of Medical Equipment, and the Exhibition of Computers and Stationery Supplies. The covered quadrangle of the college offers a good environment for the female students social activities. Vice Dean Mrs. Aliaa and Mrs. Reem Unless we are making progress in our nursing every year, every month, every week, take my word for it we are going back. Florence Nightingale, 1914 Nursing s story is a magnificent epic of service to humankind. It is about people how they are born, and live and die; in health and in sickness; in joy and in sorrow. Its mission is the translation of knowledge into human service... Martha Rogers, 1966 Student the Laboratory Students Planning Patient Care Student in the Laboratory Students in the Theatre Room

7 The College Honors Former Director Generals of PAAET The former Director General, Dr. Hamoud Al- Mudaf, and former Deputy Director General for Finance, Mr. Saud Jaafar, were honored by the Dean and the College on Tuesday, May 1, The occasion was attended by the Director General of PAAET, Dr. Yacoub Al- Refae. Mr. Saud, Dr. Fatimah, Mrs. Khawlah, Dr. Hamoud The Dean, Dr. Fatimah Al- Kandari, welcomed the special guests of honor and other dignitaries. She expressed appreciation for the very kind support that Dr. Hamoud and Mr. Saud gave to the College during their tenure in office. The Vice Dean Academic Affairs, Mrs. Khawlah Yacoub, talked about the distinguished roles played by Dr. Hamoud and Mr. Saud, leading to the establishment of the College. Dr. Florence Omu, chairperson of the ADN program, gave the final words of thanks, on behalf of the Dean and the entire College. Dr. Fatimah presents gift to Dr. Hamoud Dean Fatimah and Dr. Nagat Abdel Aal, presented gifts to Dr. Hamoud, Mr. Saud and Dr.Yacoub in appreciation of their contributions to the birth and development of the College. A group photograph was taken of the dignitaries. Buffet luncheon was served in the covered quadrangle. It is our hope that the College of Nursing will continue to enjoy the kindness and support of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). Dr. Fatimah, Dr. Yacoub and Mr. Saud Dr. Fawzia Mullah Hussain, Mrs. Aneesa Al- Shafan with Dean Fatimah, Dr. Nagat, Dr. Marcelle & Dr. Amal

8 Editorial This premier edition of the College of Nursing Newsletter has been possible due to the cooperation of so many staff and students. It was exciting getting interviews from the administration, the library, and the heads of departments. It was also interesting to observe and photograph students at work in the hospital, library, and laboratory settings. Seeing the College through the eyes of the students reminded us once again of the important work here to bring the best quality of nursing care to the State of Kuwait. As the newsletter goes to press, final examinations will be near. Students will diligently study their prescribed courses. Teachers will complete the course objectives and timelines for the next semester. Registration and secretarial staff will provide the necessary organization for student, teacher, and administrative services to go smoothly. Everyone will be contributing to the important work of providing the best nursing education possible! In future issues, we hope to report on alumni working in the nursing profession who bring honor to the College. We also welcome articles written by readers, especially students and alumni. Finally, we thank all of you readers for your support of our students, faculty, and staff here at the College of Nursing. Your belief in our vision makes all the difference in the world! Dr. Tonie Akpata Ms. Catherine Browning Acknowledgements Special thanks go to the following people for sharing their precious time, insights, and professional expertise in developing this newsletter. The staff at the PAAET Dr. Fatimah, Dean Mrs. Khawlah, Vice Dean Mrs. Aliaa, Vice Dean Mr. Ahmed, Manager Mrs. Amani, Librarian Mr. Mohammed, Librarian Mrs. Shaikha, Engineer Mrs. Reem, Student Liaison Ms. Muneera, Translator Ms. Noura, Laboratory Teacher Mr. Ismael, Clinical Instructor Ms. Laila, BSN Student Mrs. Intihaj, BSN Student Mr. Tareq, ADN Student Critical Care Nursing Specialization Advances in medical technology and the increasing acuity of hospitalized clients have created the need for nurses to possess specialized knowledge and skills. Nurses caring for critically ill clients require an increased understanding of pathophysiology, advanced skills in client assessment, increased ability to use advanced technology, and highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The Kuwait Ministry of Health reports that there are 785 nurses currently working in critical care Nursing Students Participating in Community Health Fair units in Kuwait (340 in Coronary Care Units and 445 in Intensive Care Units). Only 8 of these Forthcoming News nurses are Kuwaiti nationals. The Ministry of Health projects that there will be a need for an ADN and BSN classes resume September 22, 2007 additional 157 critical care nurses annually for the next 5 years. The College prepares for the forthcoming 25th Anniversary of PAAET, November, 2007 PAAET has taken the initiative to approve the Critical Care Nursing Specialization Program Name your Newsletter beginning at the College in September, The purpose of this program is to meet the We would like to say a big Thank you to all those learning needs of critical care nurses and to who participated in naming the newsletter. Your good provide Kuwait hospitals with competent and suggestions were considered in making the decision caring specialist nurses. Following the Clinical to name the College of Nursing Newsletter: Nursing Nursing Practice Model, this comprehensive Echo. program prepares nurses to function efficiently and effectively as part of the multidisciplinary team caring for critically ill clients. The Critical Care Nursing Specialization Program embraces the principles and recommendations for critical care nursing education developed by the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses and the European Federation of Critical Care Nursing Associations. Collaboration with managers and clinical experts (nurses and physicians) of local hospitals has ensured the relevancy and appropriateness of the program content. The course provides 40 credits and will be offered on a full-time basis for one year duration. It will be available to graduate nurses who meet the following admission requirements set by the College: to be a graduate of a recognized nursing program with a minimum GPA 2.0; 3 letters of recommendation; 1 year acute Dignitaries and faculty gather to honor former Director care hospital experience; and pre-admission Generals of PAAET interview and competency test. Graduates of the program will be awarded a Diploma in Critical Care Nursing. This program offers tremendous new opportunities for the development of professional nursing in the Middle East. Contact Information For more information please contact: The Newsletter College of Nursing College of Nursing, Kuwait P.O. Box 64923, Al-Shuwaikh, KUWAIT Telephone Numbers: ; [email protected]