Mapping of International Mobility Benefits in Strengthening Nursing Programs in Türkiye

Abstract

Considering that the acceleration of globalization has affected both the health systems and the education systems worldwide, nursing education has been greatly impacted in the process and mobility programs have greatly gained in importance. This study aimed to investigate the mobility of students and academicians at the international level, within the framework of partnerships between universities and international mobility BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs in Türkiye. The study used a descriptive method with an online survey and was carried out on 82 BSN programs during the 2017–2018 academic year. The data in the study was collected by means of the “Student and Academician Mobility Information Form” and it revealed that 70.7% of the faculties with BSN programs were from State universities and that all these institutions had student and academician mobility programs. 58.5% of the departments had at least one student who went abroad in the context of mobiliy and Poland was the most preferred choice (18.1%). 70.7% of the universities had no foreign students and for those institutions who did, the country having the highest number of students who enrolled in Türkiye, from a total of 21 countries, was Spain. There were academic staff and faculty who went abroad within the scope of the programs in more than half of the BSN programs (53.7%). Mobility programs are important for the development of the nursing profession. In order to use these more actively in BSN education, internationalization can be encouraged, and the required guidance should be given to students and academics.