over the past several years I
have developed an interest
in global health and nursing.
In my travels to Central Asia, I
have become acquainted with nurses
who currently struggle with their
professional identities in the developing
countries of Kazakhstan and
Kyrgyzstan.
Nursing is a low status occupation.
A license is not required; rather,
the nurse is certified by his or her educational
institution. Because all entry
level nursing education is controlled
by physicians (called “doctors”) in
Kyrgyzstan, nursing is not recognized
as a scientific specialty, and nurses in
general are not allowed to pursue advanced
degrees. Although a few nurse
educators teach at the university level,
doctors continue to control the nursing
education system and teach in university
nursing programs.