Nursing in Palestine has witnessed significant transformation over the past two decades, driven by the efforts of academic institutions The Arab American University (AAUP) has played a crucial role in advancing nursing education, scientific research, and clinical practice. This paper highlights AAUP’s contributions to nursing development through curriculum enhancement, clinical training, faculty research, community outreach, and the introduction of advanced academic degrees, including a PhD in Nursing. Notably, the Faculty of Nursing has published more than 300 scientific papers in the last four years, reflecting a strong commitment to academic excellence and evidence-based practice. Through these efforts, AAUP continues to be a leader in strengthening the nursing profession and improving healthcare outcomes in Palestine.

Nursing education is a key driver of healthcare quality and workforce sustainability.^1,2 Globally, the World Health Organization has emphasized strengthening nursing and midwifery as essential to achieving universal health coverage and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.³ In Palestine, the nursing profession has developed against a backdrop of political instability, resource constraints, and ongoing challenges to the healthcare system.⁴ These conditions have made the preparation of a competent and resilient nursing workforce particularly urgent.⁵ Over the past three decades, university-based education has been central to this transformation, gradually shifting nursing from hospital-based training programs to an academic discipline grounded in research and evidence-based practice.⁶ Since its establishment in 2000, the Arab American University (AAUP) has emerged as a dynamic institution contributing significantly to the advancement of nursing in Palestine. The Faculty of Nursing has prioritized student-centered teaching, faculty development, and the integration of modern pedagogical approaches. Alongside education, the university has invested in research and forged collaborations with healthcare stakeholders at local, regional, and international levels.^7,8 A landmark achievement for the AAUP was its successful attainment of National League for Nursing (NLN) accreditation, making it the first Faculty of Nursing in Palestine to earn this prestigious recognition. The NLN accreditation process is highly rigorous, requiring programs to demonstrate excellence in curriculum design, student outcomes, faculty development, and continuous quality improvement. By meeting these standards, AAUP has positioned itself among internationally recognized nursing schools, providing assurance that its programs align with global benchmarks in nursing education. This achievement not only strengthens the credibility of AAUP graduates in both local and international healthcare markets but also enhances opportunities for academic exchange and collaboration. Importantly, it underscores the university’s commitment to advancing nursing as a profession grounded in evidence-based practice, innovation, and leadership, while serving as a model for other Palestinian institutions aspiring to achieve similar international recognition.⁹

Historically, nursing in Palestine was limited to basic hospital-based training that emphasized service provision rather than critical inquiry or professional development. The establishment of university nursing programs in the 1990s marked a turning point, creating pathways for professional growth and aligning local education with international standards. Today, several Palestinian universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate nursing degrees, producing hundreds of graduates annually who enter both local and regional healthcare systems. The Ministry of Health, together with professional councils, has also worked to strengthen accreditation and regulation, ensuring nursing practice keeps pace with global expectations.^10,11 Within this evolving landscape, AAUP has been at the forefront of innovation and capacity-building. The university has developed bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in nursing that emphasize critical thinking, leadership, and advanced research methodologies. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, AAUP has invested in modern simulation laboratories that allow students to develop clinical competence in a safe and controlled environment prior to direct patient care. The university also prioritizes community outreach, with nursing students and faculty regularly participating in preventive health campaigns, public education initiatives, and rural health services that link academic learning with community well-being.^12–14

In addition, AAUP has pursued strong international collaborations, partnering with regional and global institutions to enhance nursing education and research. These partnerships facilitate academic exchange, joint research projects, and exposure to diverse models of care, thereby broadening the perspectives of both students and faculty. Collectively, these initiatives underscore the university’s central role in advancing nursing education, strengthening clinical practice, and contributing to the professionalization of nursing in Palestine.¹² One of the most impactful contributions of AAUP to nursing in Palestine is in the field of scientific research. Faculty members are actively engaged in research that addresses national healthcare priorities and improves patient outcomes. The Faculty of Nursing has published over 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers in the last four years alone, contributing to global academic discourse and local healthcare innovation. This research activity supports curriculum development, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based nursing practice. The introduction of the PhD in nursing program further reinforces AAUP’s role in cultivating a new generation of nurse researchers and leaders. Faculty also mentor students, supervise theses and dissertations, and promote a culture of inquiry through seminars, conferences, and collaborative projects.¹²

The development of nursing education in Palestine has been marked by both progress and persistent challenges. While significant strides have been made in transitioning from hospital-based training to university-led programs, several barriers continue to hinder optimal growth. These challenges, however, must be interpreted within their broader contextual factors, and solutions should be oriented toward strengthening both institutional capacity and professional identity.¹⁵ One major challenge is the limited availability of resources to support advanced clinical training, including simulation-based education. This limitation stems largely from economic constraints, competing health sector priorities, and the impact of political instability, which diverts funding away from educational infrastructure. To mitigate this, universities can adopt phased investment strategies, beginning with low- to medium-fidelity simulation tools that are cost-effective yet pedagogically valuable. Additionally, partnerships with international institutions can provide access to shared resources, technical expertise, and training opportunities for faculty.¹⁰ Another issue concerns the underutilization of nursing research and evidence-based practice within Palestinian healthcare settings. This gap is explained by several factors: heavy clinical workloads that limit time for academic engagement, insufficient mentorship structures, and a lack of incentives for faculty and practitioners to pursue research. Addressing this requires the establishment of structured faculty development programs that include mentorship, protected research time, and recognition or promotion systems tied to scholarly productivity. Furthermore, fostering collaborative, multi-center studies across Palestinian universities could reduce the burden on individual researchers while amplifying the visibility and impact of local scholarship.^15,16 Clinical-practice integration also remains inconsistent, with nursing graduates sometimes experiencing a mismatch between academic preparation and the realities of the healthcare environment. Contributing factors include variability in hospital resources, fragmented collaboration between universities and clinical sites, and limited opportunities for students to assume leadership roles during training. To strengthen this link, universities should expand community-based clinical placements and formalize partnerships with healthcare institutions to align educational objectives with clinical expectations. Embedding students in community health initiatives not only bridges theory and practice but also enhances the social accountability of nursing education.^17,18

Finally, the professional identity of nurses in Palestine continues to be shaped by hierarchical structures within the health care system that limit autonomy and leadership opportunities. This is partly cultural and partly systemic, reflecting longstanding physician-dominated models of care. To address this, academic institutions and policymakers must jointly promote nursing leadership through curricular emphasis on advocacy, policy engagement, and inter professional collaboration. Encouraging nurses to participate in decision-making forums at both institutional and national levels will further strengthen the profession’s visibility and authority.^7,19,20 Taken together, these findings suggest that while Palestinian nursing education faces structural and contextual barriers, opportunities exist to transform these challenges into drivers of innovation. Through resource optimization, international collaboration, faculty development, and stronger integration of research and practice, institutions such as the Arab American University can play a leading role in advancing nursing education and practice. Such efforts are essential not only for professional growth but also for improving healthcare quality and equity in Palestine.

The Arab American University has played a transformative role in the development of nursing in Palestine. Through its focus on high-quality education, clinical training, community engagement, and a thriving research culture, the university has produced a generation of skilled, compassionate, and evidence-driven nurses. The publication of more than 300 scientific papers in the past four years and the launch of the PhD in nursing program demonstrate AAUP’s leadership in nursing scholarship and its lasting impact on national healthcare development. As the demand for advanced nursing competencies continues to grow, AAUP remains a cornerstone in the evolution of nursing and public health in Palestine.

None.

The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.

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