TEACHING AND EDUCATION IN NURSING: CHALLENGES FOR INCORPORATING THE DEBATE ON GENDER AND DIVERSITY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of nursing course lecturers regarding the issues of sexual and gender diversity, bearing in mind that the course is designed to foster a practice that promotes respect and care for all those receiving care. This is a qualitative and exploratory study, conducted with nursing lecturers at a private higher education institution. Data were collected using an online questionnaire comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The results were organised into five thematic categories, and many participants recognised the relevance of the topic to academic training and to the development of more inclusive educational practices within the Nursing programme. However, the data also indicated the persistence of training gaps related to the approach to sexual and gender diversity in the context of higher education in health. Furthermore, some of the lecturers expressed uncertainty regarding the development of inclusive pedagogical strategies aimed at addressing the topic in nursing education. The findings reinforce the importance of expanding discussions and training initiatives focused on sexual and gender diversity in undergraduate programmes. It was therefore concluded that the findings presented highlight the need to further the debate on sexual and gender diversity in health education, given the importance of staff training in developing teaching practices that are more reliable, consistent and aligned with the contemporary demands of higher education in nursing and with current discussions on human rights.