Abstract

Registration/ Licensure: Essential Need of Nursing Regulation in Iran

Author(s):Fatemeh Oskouie, Ahmad Nejatian, Soroor Parvizy , Nooredin Mohammadi, Mohammad Reza Sheikhi and Raziyeh Ghafouri

Registration/licensure is particularly important in regulation of health system, because public protection, safe and dignity care are the most important goal in health regulation. Registration/licensure of care providers is a solution to for achievement of this goal. Registration/licensure is not a new subject in nursing. Most of the countries, including Iran are focused on nursing Registration/licensure and its planning has been on the agenda of policy makers. This study comparatively describes nursing registration/licensure process in different countries including Iran. this was a descriptive comparative study. The relevant articles and texts were extracted from the websites Ovid PUBMED, Science Direct, CINHAL and ProQuest by using the keywords such as registration/licensure assessment, registration/licensure examination, regulation and nursing. A total of 22 articles, one WHO declaration and report of International Council of Nurses and regulation of Iranian nursing registration/licensure assessment were selected based on inclusion criteria by qualitative evaluation. Inclusion criteria included articles related to nursing registration/licensure in English and Farsi (Persian). Validity and qualitative evaluation of articles were measured by using qualitative article evaluation form developed by Ryan et al in 2007. Registration/licensure process is different in different countries. A national or state-supervised nursing council, association or board is responsible for registration/licensure. In different countries, registration/licensure requires a nursing certification (Diploma, Associate, Bachelor and Master of Nursing) in accordance with education system of that country, physical and mental health, criminal clearances and clinical experience. In some countries, registration/licensure requires a certification of skilled nursing exam. Comparison of regulations of different countries in terms of nursing registration/licensure is influenced by type of legislation, government regulations and socio-economic, political and cultural background of those countries. Assessment of regulation/licensure has positive outcomes for professional staff and care recipients. In Iran, assessment of regulation/licensure will have very positive outcomes in nursing profession and health system. The most important outcomes include ensured regulation/licensure, ethical and psychological competence of care providers in providing the best care with the highest quality.

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