Methods in Study Programme of Nursing According to the European Union

Approaches to Coursework Assessment

Essays: A standard method, essentially concerned with trying out ideas and arguments, supported by evidence. Has potential for measuring understanding, synthesis, and evaluative skills. In most essays, there are not right or wrong answers and marking for feedback can be time consuming. Variations between markers can be high. Case Study: Case study has potential for measuring application of knowledge, analysis, problem-solving and evaluative skills. This method allows students to apply theory to practical situations. Marking criteria help re-grading and feedback. Project: Good all-round ability testing. Potential for sampling wide range of practical, analytical, and interpretative skills. Develops tutor/student and student/student relationships. Wider application of knowledge and skills to real/simulated situations. Motivation tends to be high. Feedback potential (especially in incorporating self or peer assessment). Tests methods as well as end results and use of criteria reduces variability. May include seminars and tutorials, case studies, simulation, role-plays, problem solving exercises, team- building and experiential learning. Seminar Presentation: Feedback potential from tutor, self and/or peers; tests preparation, understanding, knowledge, capacity to structure information and oral communication skills. Can broaden possible topic and approaches. Marking based on simple criteria is fast and potentially reliable. Laboratory Work: Feedback potential; with potential for measuring knowledge of experimental procedures, analysis, and interpretation of results. Can also test preparation and practical skills and can help broaden topic and approaches, particularly in terms of application of knowledge. Poster: Students summaries their work by preparing a poster. Encourages students to think creatively about their work and present it effectively, as well as presenting findings and interpretations succinctly and attractively. Presentation and feedback potential, from tutor, self and peers.

Examples of Student Workload

Workshop: It is a form of educational activity, whereby instructor / assistant prepares a topic, objective, and programme. The student, through various techniques (brainstorming, feedback) and by using their own knowledge and experience, acquires skills that will be used in practice. During the workshop the instructor, assistant organizes, supervises, and helps students with the course. The workshop is meant to deepen already acquired knowledge and skills. The output of the workshop is to fulfil the conditions of the specified topic and objective. The workshop does not have a theoretical component, it is assumed that the student has a theoretical basis and is able to transfer theoretical knowledge into practical skills and it therefore calls for active cooperation among the participants of the workshop. A workshop can be prepared based on various scientific or professional topics. It is recommended to be prepared for approximately 60 min. (one topic) with an optimal number of 25 participants [4].

The student is obliged to gain, in the study program the required number of credits for which the distribution and total number of semesters is determined by the accreditation file. The standard student workload for one academic year is the sum of 60 credits in full-time study, for three years of standard study it is 180 ECTS. Each subject in the study program is evaluated by the number of credits which reflect a quantitative measure of student workload in the study of the subject. A particular subject has the same credit evaluation for all students.

Learning Outcomes: The nurse have to: know the theoretical basis of nursing as a discipline with an emphasis on the historical development of the profession; theoretically know and practically work with method of nursing process in fullfing the bio-psycho-social and spiritual needs of patient; know the principles of medical and nursing ethics, with the ability to solve ethical dilemmas in nursing practice; recognize a wide range of psychological, personal and psychosocial mechanisms, which are manifested in individuals during health and disease; have a knowledges of health and disease and uses them in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention; have a basic knowledge of the structure and function of the human body to the extent necessary for an understanding of disease processes; acquire knowledges of applied clinical nursing, form the basis of knowledges, which are necessary for professional ability to perform work activities in the nursing profession; be able to make changes, take risks, take responsibility, demonstrates the ability to improvise in accute situations; fast, wisely and decisively work, know legal responsibility in her/his profession, constantly gains expertise related to her/his own expertise and improves personal growth; use knowledge of management and control as a purposeful human activity in to creating optimum conditions for the provision of quality nursing care; acquire communication skills which are essential for interpersonal cooperation in the team as an essential part of nursing practice and synonymous for creating nurse-patient relationship; use knowledge of nursing education in the protection, support and restore the health of individuals, families, communities [5, 6].

Practical Skills: The nurse independently: identifyes needs person, family or community, and arranges or makes satisfying the needs in health-relation with disease or dying; participates in the establishment of the quality system and evaluates the quality of nursing care; organizes and ensures the implementation of interventions in order to the needs of the person; supports the promotion of advocacy of the needs and rights of people; organizes and executes activities related to the admision, discharge, transfer and patients death; does the nursing documentation, checks and analyzes the results in the nursing documentation; uses assessment scales in nursing care; ensures the providing of continuous nursing care to person after discharge from hospital care to home care; provides nursing care in a home environment; recommends care and collaboration with other individuals and legal persons; educates people about family or community nursing care with an emphasis on self-sufficiency; offers information related to providing nursing care according the required extent to the person, family or community; collaborates with other health care professionals; provides environmental hygiene, including desinfection, and sterilization of medical devices; provides compliance of the safe environment of a person and the protection of his/her intimacy in providing nursing care.

The nurse measures, monitors and interprets the established numerical and clinical data of vital signs, examines visual acuity and auditory acuity, participates in the prevention of disorders of immobility, evaluates and treats disorders of the skin and mucous membrane integrity, applies dresses and compresses, suctiones secretions from the respiratory tract, treats drains, peripheral catheters, stoma, in the performance of nursing practice [7].

During non-contact hours students become more inspired and creative what then results in more effective preparation and knowledge for the following task. Students also learn to work within hospital environment and this programme allows them to communicate better with nurses, doctors, laboratory assistants and nurses in diagnosis centre.

Evaluation of Academic Results: Evaluation of academic results of the student within the academic subject is carried out: through continuous controlling of academic results during the period of study (written tests, seminar work etc.) and by exam for the given period of study. The teacher gives a grade for the completion of the subject. The evaluation expresses the quality of acquired knowledge and practical skills in accordance with the results of learning on the subject information sheet. It includes the different approaches to learning have all been included in the history of curriculum design and implementation, for example cognitive, behavioural, constructivist and post modern approaches to nursing and nurse education [5].

The main topics of core knowledge of the first degree of university studies are based primarily on the theory and practice of nursing. The study program is divided into academic subjects. The standard student workload for one academic year is the sum of 60 credits in full-time study, for three years of standard study it is 180 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

Students are getting information and knowledge about health status and illness of a patient; they get knowledge and skills about taking anamnesis, physical examination, treatment and diagnostic modalities. Nurses know to document all procedures performed for patients. They are in some extent taught how to identify and differentiate nursing problems; to formulate objectives and draws up care plans; and how to carry out nursing duties on responsible and on effective way. Concerning ethics, inside all curricula there is subjects dealing with ethical principles in nursing care. Nurses are taught to respect the rights of all individuals and groups. Approach to severely ill patients and emergency cases is given to nurses inside curricula but it can be devoted more time to this topic.

Research competences students generally are not getting during bachelor studies, only during master studies. There are some subjects like informatics, statistics and methodology of scientific work on faculties but generally students are not getting research skills during bachelor studies.