Qualitative and Quantitative Study of the Nursing Education from an Anthropologic Perspective

Abstract

The OBJECTIVE was to characterize from an anthropological perspective the process of professionalization of nursing in the School of the National Hospital “Prof. Dr. A. Posadas“, through social and educational characteristics of students in the period 1996-2007, the analysis of social representations of professional training, and diagnosis of problems and proposals for the reformulation of educational programs. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study with qualitative-quantitative methodological triangulation. We worked with student records, semi-structured interviews with health professionals and focus groups with students. RESULTS: The quantitative characterization of the students showed a higher proportion of women (84%) and average age of 28. Of all students admitted, only 21% had graduated, with a median time to discharge of 43 months. The qualitative results describe the priority of working out on vocation in career choice, its humanitarian, social image tarnished or little known, and workforce training at the cost of university and professional training, professionalization stage transition and the asymmetrical relationship and complementary medicine. CONCLUTIONS: The findings provide information to understand the professionalization in the local context, contribute to policy development and health interventions and educational projects, human resource training and promotion of scientific production in nursing and social sciences.