Development Strategies in Medical Education

Introduction: To establish and elevate the quality of clinical nursing doctorate programs in Iran, this study compared the educational systems of four leading nursing schools worldwide, with a specific focus on pediatric nursing.
Methods: This comparative descriptive study, conducted in 2023, utilized a structured, four-stage approach (description, interpretation, comparison, and analysis) inspired by Bereday's model to examine the curricula of four top nursing schools: Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Rush, and Washington. The analysis involved a detailed examination of course definitions, historical background, core values, missions, visions, objectives, competencies, admission requirements, and program specifications.

Results: Despite similarities in course content, teaching strategies, and graduate outcomes across the four programs, distinct differences were observed in admission criteria and overall curriculum design. All programs shared a common focus on foundational nursing knowledge, physiological sciences, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, complex clinical problem-solving, pediatric health, cultural competence, and the intersection of politics and economics with nursing. However, each program had unique approaches to developing graduates as skilled professional leaders capable of positively impacting healthcare.

Conclusion: The DNP programs in pediatric care at the examined institutions provide a comprehensive and impactful approach to addressing complex challenges in pediatric healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. By drawing on the strengths of these programs, Iran can establish robust clinical nursing DNP initiatives to enhance the quality of pediatric healthcare delivery within the region.