RIYADH, 29 November 2005 — Some 80 young Saudi girls have enrolled for the new graduate nursing program developed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center here, according to Dr. Thelma van der Merwe, head of the Saudization and Diploma Program at KFSH&RC.
She was speaking at a function to felicitate Mollie Butler who has been awarded Ph.D. by the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. South African Ambassador Abdulhamied Gabier, Canadian Ambassador Roderick Bell, embassy officials and doctors from KFSH&RC were present.
Butler, a Canadian, works as a nurse at KFSH. The theme of her thesis was “A learning program for the continued development of nurses in Saudi Arabia”.
Describing the response to the new nursing program as “excellent”, Dr. van der Merwe said a strong motivating factor was the attractive salary. She, however, refused to go into the specifics.
According to official statistics, Saudis constitute less than one percent of the nursing profession in the Kingdom.
Entry requirements for the nursing program have been kept low so that even high school graduates are eligible for admission. Those who have an associate degree from any recognized health institute also can apply. The duration of the course is one to two years. The trainees are placed in an environment that is conducive to their professional growth and development.
One of the main features of the program is its flexibility. This enables a Saudi nurse to exit the program and yet remain employed at KFSH under a structured system based on Butler’s recommendation. Saudi nurses also have the option to pusue higher courses in leadership and management.
“They are highly motivated in their desire to learn and improve their knowledge as they go along,” Dr. Thelma noted.
Asked about the social stigma associated with Saudi women entering the nursing profession, she said they were gradually overcoming the problem.
