INCLUSION OF INITIAL ASSISTANCE OF BURN VICTIMS IN THE CURRICULUM FOR UNDERGRADUATE NURSING COURSES

Abstract

Objective: To verify the inclusion of the initial care for burn victim theme to the curriculum of undergraduate nursing. Method: A documentary, exploratory descriptive study, with a qualitative approach to curriculum review was conducted as well as an interview to four course coordinators of Undergraduate Nursing in the metropolitan area of Maringa, Brazil, and the data was then subjected to document and thematic content analysis. Results: The initial assistance of burn victims is implicit in two out of four courses, but not fully covered. From the interviews with the coordinators, a “hidden curriculum” was identified, which is covered in undergraduate courses, but is still insufficient. The need for the initial assistance of burn victims to be better structured in such courses was emphasized, as well as the importance of a theoretical- practical approach and the need to adapt the curriculum to achieve teaching qualification in this area. Conclusion: It was concluded that with regards to the national and local epidemiological profile, the approach to initial assistance of burn victims is inadequate in the undergraduate training of nurses.