The experiences of nurses and midwives regarding nursing education in Ghana: A qualitative content analysis

Background: The nursing education in Ghana has only witnessed minimal advancement though one of the earliest in Africa. This study aimed to explore nursing education in Ghana at the bachelor degree level in terms of the program's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats from the perspectives of nurses and midwives. Methods: A qualitative design based on the content analysis approach was used in this study. We purposefully sampled and interviewed thirty-five nurses and midwives at the Tamale Teaching in Ghana from September 2018 to May 2019. Results: The data analysis revealed five main categories; professionally developed, diverse implementation, insufficient resources, applied opportunities, and threatening policies. The findings highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of nursing education at the bachelor degree level in Ghana. Conclusion: The nursing education in Ghana has some internal capabilities in the form of strengths and weaknesses, such as the program being professionally regulated and operates on a well-developed curriculum, yet challenged with insufficient faculty and resources. The external opportunities and threats present as global recognition and career opportunities, amidst the proliferation of adjunct nursing programs. Recommendations have been highlighted. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd