86

July 2017

OPINION

Challenges facing undergraduate degree programmes in Nursing

Editorial Department - AQU Catalunya

In conclusion to the contributions put forward at the workshop Ways to improving the training of nurses, held at the Autonomous University of Barcelona on 15 February 2017, this article presents a summary of the main challenges that were identified and, where applicable, who is responsible for their implementation (in brackets).

Training

  • Although simulation is recognised as an innovative teaching methodology, the requirement of 2,300 hours of clinical practice in healthcare facilities is necessary for all graduates of programmes in Nursing delivered at universities in Catalonia, as laid down by European guidelines (universities).
  • Include specific skills assessment tests (ACOES) during training and assessment in all Nursing programmes delivered at universities in Catalonia (universities).
  • Increase the number of doctoral degree holders teaching undergraduate programmes, as laid down in Spanish legislation (universities).
  • Introduce a transitional adaptation, through until 2020, of the assessment criteria for contract teaching positions at higher education institutions and merits in research by making them more specific and fit-for purpose for nursing, together with the promotion of high quality research (AQU Catalunya).

Specialisation in training

  • Match the specialist fields of Nursing with the professional profiles required by employers (universities).
  • Enhance the professional skills required by employers, in particular leadership, decision-making, communication and the use of scientific evidence in nursing practice (universities).

Links between professional practice and the academic world

  • Encourage both the education and health authorities to work together in defining training and in setting up working environments for multi-disciplinary teaching, as established in Community guidelines (government).
  • Strengthen the links between professional practice and the academic world through different actions, which might include:

o The involvement of the head of faculty on the healthcare facility's supervisory board (healthcare facilities).

o The involvement of representatives of the healthcare facility on the faculty board (universities).

o The setting up of assigned posts (government).

 

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