In order to explore the current forces and issues affecting nursing education, I interviewed a tenured

associate professor teaching at AUB’s school of nursing, Dr. Myrna Doumit.

Dr. Doumit identified several negative and positive factors affecting nursing education. She stated that
from the student perspective, the influence of online education in Lebanon has impacted, negatively, the
level of preparedness of some students. Additionally, the financial crisis has led to students choosing
nursing not out of passion but due to financial constraints (more scholarships are given to nursing
students); thus, affecting their performance. The lack of diversity in student backgrounds, particularly
from higher socioeconomic status schools, poses another challenge.
From the higher education or faculty perspective, Dr. Doumit identified faculty preparation as a
significant issue, as not all faculty members with advanced Master’s and PhD degrees possess effective
teaching skills or an educational background. The shortage of experienced clinical preceptors,
exacerbated by the departure of highly qualified Lebanese nurses from the country, poses another
challenge in providing quality clinical education.
From the nursing deliver context, Dr. Doumit sees potential positive impacts from introducing telehealth
and technology into nursing care, providing that nurses are prepared for this.
To address these issues, the nursing curriculum should incorporate telehealth and technology into the
education preparation of nurses, initiatives to attract more diverse students, to incorporate training for
nursing instructors, and to provide incentives for quality clinical preceptors. Dr. Doumit suggested
shifting towards preparing future nursing students to be more community-oriented. Emphasizing primary
healthcare and instilling a mindset that considers patients as part of a community can lead to better
population satisfaction and reduce the strain on hospital resources. This can redirect the focus from acute
care to community-based care, potentially decreasing costs for patients and healthcare systems.