Nursing Sciences

Profile

The many changes taking place within our society demand a profound change in the organization and provision of healthcare. The primary objective of this degree is to produce competent healthcare professionals who are able to act on the decisions they have made. In addition to acquiring the most up-to-date academic knowledge, skills such as self-reflection and independent lifelong learning are conveyed while emphasizing the link between theory and practice. The combination of research, tuition, theory and practice gives the healthcare professional a solid scientific basis. This enables up-to-date patient care and adheres to the stipulations listed in the Austrian Health and Nursing Law, that healthcare provided be based on only the latest scientific findings.

Great emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary approach in all activities. The Institute of Nursing Sciences’ integration in the Paracelsus Medical University has already facilitated strong cooperation in research between both medical and healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals mutually benefit from this in everyday practice. Moreover, through the alliance with the University Clinic, newly acquired scientific knowledge can be implemented immediately in healthcare.

Internationality is a further important factor, which underlies all our targets and challenges. We serve as a link between the Austrian and international institutions of healthcare.

Course content and focus:

This course provides the scientific background and professional skills for vocational professions in the field of nursing sciences.

Compulsory modules

• Basic Principles in Healthcare

• Basic Principles in Nursing Sciences

• Pedagogical Principles I - III

• The Promotion of Health / Preventive Medicine

• Quality Management I + II

• Nursing Research I - IV

• Statistics I - III

• Healthcare Models and Theories

• Health Economics

• Foundations of Research Utilization I

• Ethics in Promotion of Healthcare Research

• Seminars on specific subjects (Critical Care, Palliative Care)

Elective Modules

• Basic Principles in Medicine

• Basic Principles in Psychology

• Basic Principles in Sociology

• Research Utilization II + III

Special features

"Competence-based education":

Acquiring knowledge to implement it in practice. This didactic approach develops the students’ personal and professional skills.

Student mentoring:

Focuses entirely on the student. Teaching staff should not only convey knowledge but should also mentor their students in attaining the required skills and competences.

Competences gained: include

• interdisciplinary knowledge

• professional skills in the selected specialist areas

• basic skills in pedagogy and quality management

• scientific methods
• social skills (especially communication, critical thinking and conflict management)

• professional skills for interdisciplinary medicine

• ethical awareness

Practically oriented training:

Improves the exchange of knowledge between theory and practice. This includes a 4-week internship during the bachelor degree. Here concrete issues are addressed in up-to-date projects and case simulations. Practical experience is also gained in the field of nursing.

Experience abroad:

Is gained through internships to foreign institutions during both the bachelor and masters degrees.

Study and work:

Fridays and weekends are kept free of lectures for self-study. There is a total of 10 weeks holiday. It is possible to have a part-time job.

Start: April 2010

Duration: 6 semesters (180 ECTS)

Academic degree: Bachelor of Science (BSc) – with Nursing Sciences Supplement