Nursing in Transition in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Nursing practice and nursing education in Kyrgyzstan are described in this article. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union and the establishment of independence in 1991, health care in Kyrgyzstan has deteriorated. In response to the Manas Health Care Reform program initiated in 1996, nursing education is being upgraded and nurses are being retrained throughout the country. Comparisons of nursing education in Kyrgyzstan with the U.S. and Soviet programs are discussed. Challenges in upgrading nursing education to meet international standards and in obtaining an advanced degree in nursing are explained.