Looking at United States nurses vs. European nurses shows how they are similar and different from each other.
Nations within the Western World generally do things the same, but there are nuances that differ, and the healthcare system is certainly one of them. Not only are there differences in the education and certification between American and European nurses, there are also ideological differences.
Differences in Nursing Educational Requirements
In order to qualify for a program in the European Union, one must first live within the European Union for at least three years. One can then enroll in a nursing program through an accredited institution, usually lasting two to four years. Half of this time would be comprised of technical knowledge, such as general nursing principles and specialized care (depending on the branch of medicine in which a prospective nurse is interested in working. A nurse in training in the European Union is also required to work at a medical institution during the latter years of his or her training, then to continue working in that institution thereafter as part of a residency program similar to those for doctors. Once this process is complete, the prospective nurse can then apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Alternately, anyone interested in becoming a nurse in the United States can apply to any nursing school or college/university with a nursing program and follow that curriculum until the desired level of education is attained. Different levels of education and accompanying curricula have varying expectations and result in different levels of expertise within the nursing profession – for example, a nurse with an Associate’s degree is a Licensed Practical Nurse, whereas a nurse with Bachelor’s degree is known as a Registered Nurse. In order to practice as a nurse within the United States, one must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for nurses. There are no citizenship requirements to enroll in a nursing program in the United States.
Ideological Differences between American and European Nurses
Nurses in the United States are considered second only to medical doctors in the medical science field and thus, are expected to be practical specialists in the field. This does not necessarily differ from Nurses in the European Union, but it does have a divergent concentration. This perspective in the United States can result in nurses who own their own practices and provide medical services separate of medical doctors. Nurses in the European Union, on the other hand, are professionals within their own niche, which is considered support. Therefore, although nurses in the European Union are expected to have an expertise in their respective medical areas, a lot of attention is also given to interpersonal relations and professional nursing groups.
Furthermore, while there is a conception of clinical supervision that has a superior expertise than their nurse subordinates in an area in the United States, a greater expertise in a medical area is not required or expected of clinical supervision in the European Union. Instead, they are expected to act as intermediaries that facilitate the continued development and professional maintenance of the nurses below them.