Nurse Educators’ Experiences In Pakistan’s Shift From Diploma To Degree: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Pakistan is phasing out the diploma program in favor of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to align with international educational standards. This transition holds significant importance for national policy implementation, as it ensures the development of a competent nursing workforce. However, it is equally essential to meet the necessary requirements to sustain the quality, quantity, and relevance of nursing education across the country. Objective: To map and synthesize the published evidences on nurse educators’ experiences of shifting from diploma to degree programs. Methods: We conducted a scoping review following Arksey & O’Malley and reported according to PRISMA, Databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Wiley) were searched for English-language studies published 2015–2024. Screening and data extraction were performed by two reviewers; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results: After applying filters based on study attributes, geographical location, publication year, and contextual relevance, 250 studies were initially identified from a total of 400 records. Following further screening, 200 articles were considered potentially eligible. After a detailed assessment against the inclusion criteria—excluding outdated studies, non-English publications, and those lacking full-text access 16 studies were finally included in the review. Analysis of these studies revealed four key themes: (1) faculty preparedness and professional development needs; (2) resource and infrastructure limitations; (3) student readiness and support mechanisms; and (4) policy and accreditation challenges. Evidence specifically from Pakistan was limited, with most empirical studies originating from other Asian and African contexts. Discussion: The paper provides a succinct summary of the information currently available regarding nurses' experiences on transitioning of nursing education. Conclusion: Transitioning nursing education from diploma to degree is very crucial in order to strengthen the professional competencies, critical thinking and decision making abilities as well as to promote the evidence based practice that will directly affect the patients care and health outcomes globally.