By Fazeena Saleem
Doha: Nursing is growing as a new career interest among young Qataris as many of them have begun to study and take it as a profession.
At least a 50 Qatari nationals have graduated as nurses in 2015 and another 90 are presently studying at the of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) — the campus that provides nursing education in Qatar.
“I think Qataris are beginning to develop an appreciation for rigorous scientific and professional training that is required of the modern nurse. They are also seeing that nursing shares many of the same core values as the Qatari culture,” said Shaikha Ali Al Qahtani, a nursing professional working at the Hamad General Hospital.
“The focus on community, compassion and caring are the foundation of the Qatari community, as well as attributes found in those inclined to pursue nursing as an education and career choice,” said Shaikha who is also studying for a Master of Nursing degree with a focus on leadership at the UCQ.
The UCQ has a community of 234 alumni, including 51 Qatari nationals, with the 2015 class having largest number of Qatari graduates yet. There are currently over 600 students, including over 90 Qatari students studying in the university, in both the Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing programmes. And the university is presently welcoming new students and expect numbers could rise over 100 Qatari students.
“We offer programmes designed to provide Qatari students with a nursing education which will serve them in both their professional and personal lives, creating a variety of career and personal growth opportunities. As young Qataris step into their roles as future leaders, the nursing education they will have received at UCQ will prepare them for wherever their lives take them, whether it be in patient care, administration, community health, research, or healthcare advocacy,” said Dr Kim Critchley, Dean and CEO of UCQ.
UCQ has a highly trained faculty, with more than 50 instructors and faculty members. The simulation lab on campus uses sophisticated technology to allow students to use mannequins to practice new skills before they try them out on live patients. Each mannequin is operated by advanced computers to recreate a range of conditions and use closed circuit televisions to observe students and provide feedback.
Dr Kim highly predicts a promising future for nursing among Qatari youth.
“With the master’s programmes that we now have in place, UCQ is aiming to not only help educate younger Qataris who are just entering university, but those who have already started their careers and are looking to further their education. UCQ provides graduates not only with health care knowledge, but with advanced people management skills, and equips them to become a leader both their professional lives as well as in their communities,” she said.
“These skills will be necessary as Qatar begins to develop and explore community-health related frontiers, working towards the human development goals outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030,” she added.
Shaikha Ali Al Qahtani is an example of young Qataris taking nursing as a career. She received her Bachelor of Nursing in 2013 from UCQ and is currently working towards her Master of Nursing with the University. In January 2014, she established the Wound Care Service in the Ambulatory Care and Outpatient Department at Hamad General Hospital and began as its director - the first Qatari Director of Nursing in this department. A scholarship recipient for her continuing education, Shaikhahas been making strides as a leader for Qatari nurses prior to receiving her Bachelor’s degree by founding the Al Luluah Nursing Club, a Qatari students’ club dedicated to promoting nursing as a valued profession and encouraging young Qatari men and women to join this expanding field. She is currently working toward her second master’s degree at UCQ. She has also honed her skills through participation in a multitude of international courses and conferences, including her first master’s degree from the University of Hertfordshire and courses in the US, Europe and Canada.
The Peninsula
