Undergraduate oncology nursing education in the Balkans and the Middle East

Background. The levels of undergraduate oncology nursing education in the Balkans and the Middle East had not been determined. Methods. The authors used a questionnaire to survey representatives of nine Balkan and Middle East countries about the oncology nursing education available in undergraduate nursing programs in their countries. Admission criteria, the educational requirements for teachers providing the education, and the levels of nursing credentials in the country were investigated. Results. Years of schooling needed for admission ranged from eight to 12. Requirements for teachers varied widely, from none to academic degrees and experience, as did levels of nurses in the countries. Israel, Slovenia, and Greece had fairly substantial oncology nursing education programs, while some countries, especially in the Balkans, offered none at all. Conclusions. There is a need for routine inclusion of required oncology training in the nursing programs of these countries.