The future of Turkish nursing 2050: perceptions of nurses and nurse educators

AimTo explore the perceptions of nurses and nurse educators regarding the future of nursing by the year 2050 in Turkey. BackgroundSocial changes, rapid population growth, globalization and worldwide environmental problems will cause greater changes in the field of health and health care in the near future than they have in the past. Undoubtedly, these changes will directly affect nursing. It is important that nurses and nurse educators forecast and direct the future and nursing to benefit from the effects of the changes that will occur in the future. DesignA qualitative descriptive study which employed the use of individual in-depth interviews. MethodsThe study's sample participants were 21 hospital nurses and 16 nurse educators from universities in Istanbul, Turkey. They undertook individual in-depth interviews during July 2013-July 2014. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. FindingsThe study revealed that the participants' perceptions were based on the ideas that the future of nursing will be shaped in accordance with changes in humanity, environment and healthcare system, as well as worldwide future trends. Results indicated that participants were aware of the factors that will affect future of nursing and nursing education. Conclusion and Implications for Nursing PolicyResearch showed that participants had focused on the near future; they were not forecasting distance future. Also research found that not only future scenarios are needed for nurses, but also three kinds of scenarios are required related to factor such as humanity, environment and healthcare system those effect nurses. Futurists, health policymakers and nurse educators should work collaboratively with each other.