BACHELOR S DEGREE PROGRAM NURSING SCIENCE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ

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BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAM

NURSING SCIENCE

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ

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Course Evaluation ...14

Curriculum Evaluation ...14

Graduate Survey ...14

The Bachelor’s Curriculum for Nursing Science... 15

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Introduction

Nursing is one of the oldest professions in health care and includes the largest group of people active in this field. Nursing is an independent profession and science, and includes practical, ethical, individual and empirical knowledge. Nursing, along with other professional groups, provides an important and indispensable contribution to the health sector.

In a time of major health care reforms, and in light of the increasingly complex health problems, nurses are increasingly being seen as a key resource for health reform strategies. As the largest group of health workers in the European Union, who also work in a wide variety of health care settings, nurses make a strong contribution towards achieving the goals of "Health 21"

(WHO, 2001).

The health system needs nurses with comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge. It needs nurses who are willing to expand their knowledge through lifelong learning, so they are able to master the challenges facing health care both today and in the future. In addition to basic theoretical and practical knowledge of health care and nursing, the focus is increasingly on issues such as:

Health promotion and disease prevention

Evidence-based care and treatment

Nursing research and transfer

Organization of the outpatient care for chronic conditions and the elderly

Multi-disciplinary and international cooperation

This requires an appropriate tertiary education and qualifications for nurses in line with international standards. This promotes the mobility of students and instructors at the international level and enables the creation of networks and international cooperation.

The degree program is designated as a medical study in accordance with the Austrian University Act (BM:WF, 2007)*.

* http://bmwf.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/hsrechtdok07.pdf, accesss March 16^th, 2011

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The Degree Program

The Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science is a full-time, undergraduate course of study providing professional qualification and after four years leading to the academic degree of

"Bachelor of Nursing Science".

In accordance with § 60 Section 1 Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegegesetz GuKG (Health and Nursing Act), exams and practical training that have been successfully completed in Austria as part of a training for a healthcare profession or a university or polytechnic degree program, are to be accredited towards the corresponding examinations and practical training for a degree program in health and nursing by the Director, provided they are equivalent in content and scope.

It is not possible to accredit exams towards the degree examination.

Directly after completing the degree program, students have the opportunity to take the degree examination (5 ECTS) at the School of General Health and Nursing. This enables the students to obtain a second certificate; namely a diploma in General Health and Nursing.

Successful completion of the program also entitles the graduate to continue their education with the master’s program and subsequently the doctoral program for “Nursing Science”.

Suitable qualification opportunities are provided among others by the Institute of Nursing Science, Medical University of Graz. Detailed information can be found in the respective curricula.

Admission Requirements and Admission

For more information about the admission requirements please visit the University website.

Objectives of the Degree Program

The curriculum is designed to prepare students who have completed the Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science and successfully completed the diploma examination at the School of General Health and Nursing to take on the role and responsibilities of a qualified nurse. Furthermore, the aim of the degree program is to apply and implement scientific findings in nursing science. The learning objectives of the various courses are the skills that the students will have gained upon successful completion of the course and which will serve as the foundation for acquiring further skills as they work towards a Bachelor’s of Nursing Science.

Bachelor’s Master’s Doctor’s

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The degree program aims to:

Train nurses or build on the knowledge and skills they have already obtained in such a way that after successfully completing the degree examination at the School of General Health and Nursing they are able to responsibly and adequately contribute to the care of patients, families, nursing home residents, etc. and actively participate in the future development of health care.

Impart students with the knowledge and skills so that after successfully completing the degree examination at the School of General Health and Nursing they are able to work independently as nurses in every area of patient care. The students will learn to apply their knowledge and skills reflectively and engage in lifelong learning to ensure the care they provide is always based on the latest scientific findings.

Link theory with practical elements. The students will acquire extensive knowledge and skills to support individuals and families in the experience of health and illness during the course of life and to promote health and provide preventive care. The students will acquire the skills to enable them to work in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams.

Provide the students with qualifications and the ability to provide holistic care, which will require the students to apply knowledge from various branches of science. Knowledge from other branches of science serve as the foundation, or have an impact on the care provided, and are thus taught in the first semester.

The majority of the courses,

however, are in the field of health and nursing and nursing science.

The final semesters focus on the main topics in nursing research.

The degree program is held in a national and international context. The Institute of Nursing Science strongly encourages international cooperation in teaching and research and encourages an exchange of students and lecturers.

Qualification Profile and Potential Occupational Fields

Possible occupational fields for graduates after successfully completing the degree examination at the School of General Health and Nursing are health care and nursing in outpatient, day- patient or inpatient care facilities, as well as preventive, rehabilitative or palliative care facilities with a focus on or responsibility for the following tasks:

Performance of Health 21 (WHO, 1999) tasks

Support of the nursing team in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient services etc. with regard to the application and implementation of nursing scientific knowledge, especially in terms of evidence-based care (EBP)

The role as primary nurse

Practical support for trainees, students and colleagues in health care and nursing (practical guide)

The implementation of scientifically-based guidelines and standards to support and participate in nursing research projects

Multidisciplinary teamwork

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Communication, education, training and counseling of patients and relatives in care- related topics

The promotion of health and wellbeing

The comprehensive, systematic and accurate assessment of the care situation on the basis of nursing classification systems and the latest nursing scientific findings

Process control for providing care

The implementation and use of nursing instruments

The holistic and individual care of patients / residents based on the biopsychosocial model

The evaluation of nursing interventions

Lifelong learning

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Structure of the Degree Program

The Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science is a four year program

(8 semesters).

The Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science comprises a total of 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) of instruction and courses, self-study and practical training. 140 ECTS of the Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science consist of theory, including the preparation of the bachelor’s theses. The remaining 100 ECTS consist of practical training conducted at healthcare facilities. Thus, the curriculum of the Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science at the Medical University of Graz fulfills both the guidelines of the European Union and the requirements of the Austrian Act on Nursing Care.

The number of ECTS credits assigned for the individual courses can be found in the overview.

The successful completion of the required courses, electives and practical training for Part 1 is a prerequisite for the enrollment for the required courses, electives and practical training for Part 2. Likewise, the successful completion of the required courses, electives and practical training for Part 2 is a prerequisite for the enrollment for the required courses, electives and practical training for Part 3.

Partnerships

Partnerships exist with the School of Health and Nursing at the University Hospital Graz and various other health care facilities.

University partnerships also exist with national and

international institutions / universities.

European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

To enable international credit for courses, the extent of the course of study and individual study requirements will be given in ECTS credits which are based on the actual workload including the time necessary to attend the lectures. In accordance with the UG 2002, 60 ECTS credits will be granted per year, which corresponds to a workload of 1,500 real hours. The annex includes a list of the ECTS credits awarded for each individual course.

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Further Recognized Languages of Instruction Other Than German

Select courses shall be offered in the English language. It is intended that such courses shall make up 10% of the entirety.

International Comparability

The participation in the ECTS program ensures comparability. Furthermore, participation in EU and other international exchange programs will continue to be promoted.

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The Curriculum

Within the Bachelor’s Degree Program for Nursing Science each academic year will be assigned 60 ECTS credits, i.e. 30 ECTS credits per semester.

The structure of the curriculum offers students the opportunity to gain a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and understanding of the nursing discipline. It combines theoretical and practical learning. Furthermore, the curriculum is structured in such a way that students are provided the opportunity to develop analytical and critical thinking skills for nursing practice, so that by the end of the degree program they will be able to work on the basis of available scientific research.

The contents of the curriculum and the planned teaching and learning strategies, should enable students to develop professional and ethical decisions, expand their communication skills and enhance their ability to cooperate effectively with patients and other members of the multi- professional team.

The curriculum also aims to qualify the students from the beginning, so that they are suitably prepared to carry out the various activities required in the healthcare field and, in the spirit of lifelong learning and scientific progress, are able to keep their knowledge and skills current.

Content of the Curriculum

The content of the curriculum is based on the latest research findings in each topic area and is relevant to the health care and nursing care of people and takes into account the epidemiological, demographic and socio-cultural circumstances.

The curriculum imparts basic knowledge of nursing science research and its implementation.

Thematically, the curriculum focuses on the theory and practice of health care and nursing in different settings. In this respect, special consideration is given to the care and support of people in an aging society. Furthermore, thematic areas such as cross-cultural and evidence- based care, among others, are taken into consideration, with the focus on imparting the relevance for health care and nursing. Many of the courses give special attention to current nursing science aspects, as well as gender-specific issues.

Required Courses

In accordance with the curriculum, 227 ECTS / 5,675 hours of instruction are held in the form of required courses and required practical training. It is recommended after completing the bachelor's degree program to complete the degree examination (5 ECTS) at the School of General Health and Nursing in order to additionally obtain the Diploma of General Health and Nursing.

The student is permitted at any time to attend courses at domestic or international universities and institutes and to complete practical training at health care facilities in Austria or abroad. The courses attended, however, must correspond to the courses of the bachelor’s curriculum of the Medical University of Graz. The transcript of grades, including ECTS credits and ECTS grades,

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must be submitted for accreditation. It is recommended that any such courses or training be coordinated in advance with the staff and faculty of the Institute of Nursing Science. The accreditation is determined by the Studies Rector of the Medical University of Graz.

Required Electives, Practical Training Electives, Free Electives

During the course of their studies, students are to complete a total of at least 23 ECTS / 575 hours of free electives, practical training electives and required elective.

Free Electives : 12 ECTS / 225 hrs.

Practical Training Electives: 8 ECTS / 200 hrs.

Required Electives: 6 ECTS / 150 hrs.

The choice of the individual free electives and practical training electives is up to the student.

Students have the opportunity to complete courses / practical training at other universities and health care institutions in Austria or abroad as part of their free electives / practical training electives. It is recommended to choose courses from the field of nursing science.

In addition, students are required to complete required electives with continual evaluation of performance. For this purpose the students may choose from relevant courses.

Mandatory Attendance

With the exception of the lectures and self-study, a mandatory attendance of at least 80% is required for the courses and practical training.

Definition of Course Types

The following course types shall be offered in the required subjects:

Lecture (V0): Lectures serve to impart learning content to a large number of students. They can be offered in part or entirely as virtual courses upon approval by the Academic Board. Lectures are not limited to a certain number of participants and attendance is not mandatory.

(Seminars (SE): serve as an educational platform primarily intended to stimulate the independent work of the learners. This shall be ensured for example through problem-based learning (PBL, i.e. independent acquisition of learning content in small groups under the guidance of a tutor). Seminars will be held in groups with a limited number of participants and attendance shall be mandatory.

Practical Training (PR): Practical training serves as professional training and as a meaningful supplement to the scientific education.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The curriculum applies a variety of learning experiences and teaching and assessment strategies that are based on pedagogical and learning theories that, among other things, take

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into consideration the way adults learn and in which the instructors act as learning facilitators and the students must assume the role of active learners.

Essentially this means that the teaching, learning and assessment strategies are based on the principles of adult learning and the principle that both instructors and students bring existing knowledge and experience into the education process.

Active participation is a prerequisite for the success of the teaching and learning process and is fostered by the instructors and practical training organizers as this will be of central importance during the entire professional career of the graduates. Furthermore, studies on the learning processes of adults have shown that new knowledge is only retained and analytical critical thinking can only be learned if new knowledge is applied, accpeted attitudes and values are examined and experiences are reflected upon.

The focus of the theoretical components is therefore on interactive methods that can be applied in a large variety of situations. Thus, students should also be encouraged to link theory with practice.

Practice-oriented Learning / Practical Training

The approach of this curriculum is intended to facilitate the linking of theory and practice as many courses incorporate practice-based experiences.

During the practical training, students should work as a member of a nursing/health care team, learn in direct contact with healthy and sick patients, and apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired to comprehensively plan, provide and evaluate patient care. The students not only learn to work in a health care team, but also to lead such a team and organize comprehensive care and health promotion.

The practical training is to be completed in different settings/departments of the health care sector under the supervision of the respective professional staff, and serves to deepen the theory taught in the courses and enable the students to acquire practical professional skills and abilities. Detailed information about the tasks and activities can be found in the practical training guideline.

The students will be offered appropriate practical training positions. Students are required to register in writing at the beginning of the semester for the respective practical training. They are, however, permitted to find a suitable practical training position on their own. In such cases, a written application must be submitted to the practical training coordinator.

During the practical training, specified clinical abilities and skills are to be acquired or deepened.

During their practical training students will be supervised and supported by practical training supervisors.

In addition to the hours for practical training, accompanying hours will also be held by the practical training supervisor for Reflective Practice and to provide instructions.

The practical training supervisor will evaluate the students based on the abilities and skills they have acquired at the end of the practical training.

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Detailed information about the evaluation criteria can be found in the practical training guideline.

In addition to the ECTS credits, grades will be awarded based on performance in accordance with the ECTS grading system :

Grade ECTS Grade ECTS Definition

Hervorragend (1) A Excellent

Sehr Gut (1) B Very good

Gut (2) C Good

Befriedigend (3) D Satisfactory

Ausreichend (4) E Sufficent

Nicht Bestanden (5) F/FX Fail

The Role of the Instructors

The pedagogical approach for adults adopted by the curriculum has an impact on the choice of teaching methods and therefore also on the role of the instructors. The instructor no longer only provides static knowledge, but also helps the students learn to learn. The instructor should be a guide, discussion partner and supervisor. This also means that the fundamental shift from pedagogy (education) to androgogy (theory and practice of adult education) must be understood and implemented by each and every instructor.

The Role of the Students

The introduction of the principles of adult education also has significant implications for the students. They have the role of active learners, should be encouraged to ask questions and to try out and apply their academic knowledge in various settings, as well as reflect on practical experience. The students should be able to develop critical thinking and psychomotor skills. It is assumed that students shall take responsibility for their own learning, which includes the active acquisition of information and relevant skills, as well as the reflection of their own knowledge and skills.

Study Materials

Course materials and lecture notes are generally provided by the instructor. Any course materials will be made available to the students in the "Virtual Medical Campus (VMC)".

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Examinations and Degree

The examinations will be completed as part of the individual courses in accordance with University Act (2002). In addition, two bachelor’s theses are to be written. Upon successful completion of the program, the university shall award graduates the academic degree of

"Bachelor of Nursing Science" (BScN). The attached "Diploma Supplement" provides detailed information about the degree program and the requirements met in order to obtain the academic degree.

Description of the Examination Methods

The examinations methods shall be designed in such a manner that they are comprehensible, reliable and valid, such that they are suitable for evaluating the different learning objectives (knowledge, skills and attitudes). The learning contents imparted in the courses are examined.

In accordance with the integrated form of instruction, the examinations shall take place in this form. The following types of examination are intended:

Lectures: Lecture examinations cover all the lecture material and knowledge imparted from the course (including the subject literature). As a rule, lecture examinations take place as written examinations and shall be offered in accordance with the legal guidelines. Depending to the course content, oral examinations may also be given. When grading a lecture examination, it is not permitted that specific sections of an examination be required for a passing grade. The grades are to result from the entire score. Further terms are not permissible.

Courses with Continual Evaluation of Performance: Practical training (PR) and seminars (SE) shall be evaluated as follows: The participation and independent contributions of the students (written and oral) shall be graded. Excused absences can be tolerated up to 20% of the total instruction. For courses with continual evaluation of performance, clear evaluation criteria must be announced at the beginning of the course.

Bachelor’s Theses

The students must independently prepare two written bachelor’s theses. The topic of the bachelor’s thesis is to be selected from the topic exchange to be setup and must be relevant to nursing/nursing science.

In writing the bachelor’s thesis, the author should demonstrate that they are capable of independently and reflectively examining and presenting a scientific problem relevant to the field of nursing. Essential evidence of this examination consists of the composition of a piece of written work containing a description of the problem and its classification within an overall interrelationship, as well as a presentation and discussion of the solution and the results. The holistic approach as stipulated in the biopsychosocial model of the Medical University of Graz, should also be followed within the framework of the bachelor’s thesis. Detailed information on writing the thesis can be found in the Bachelor’s Thesis Guidelines.

Students are granted a total of 10 ECTS / 250 hours for the preparation of the bachelor’s thesis.

The teachers of the required courses will serve as mentors for the bachelor’s thesis.

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The supervisor will evaluate the bachelor’s thesis, and award a grade according to the ECTS grading system.

Academic Degree

After successfully completing all of the required courses (required courses, required electives and free electives) and practical training, graduates of the Bachelor's Degree Program for Nursing Science are awarded the academic degree of “Bachelor of Nursing Science” (BScN).

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Evaluation Measures

The evaluation is. essential for the assessment of the entire curriculum and the individual courses in terms of structure, content, teaching and learning strategies, as well as processes and outcomes. Therefore, within the degree program students are continuously (usually at the end of each course) given the opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of their learning experience.

In addition, the students can also provide feedback on personally relevant issues during office hours. The Medical University of Graz also collects further feedback at the end of the degree program.

Course Evaluation

Regular course evaluation shall be planned, conducted and published in cooperation with the responsible parties in accordance with the evaluation directives to be stipulated in the articles.

Curriculum Evaluation

The curriculum shall be evaluated with regard to the following three points:

1. It shall be evaluated if and to which extent the implementation of the curriculum conforms to the stipulations of the concept and the curriculum.

2. It shall be evaluated to which extent the concept and the present curriculum are suitable for attaining the educational goals striven for.

3. The educational goals and the qualification profile are also to be subjected to evaluation at regular intervals such that if needed they can be adapted to the continually changing societal demands.

Furthermore, a constant improvement process based on the experiences of the learners shall ensure that inconsistencies and flaws with regards to the curriculum and or its implementation can be eliminated as early as possible and if necessary adaptations can be made to the present curriculum.

Graduate Survey

At a later point graduates may be systematically surveyed to determine in particular if in retrospect they find their training for the Bachelor’s in Nursing Science to have been satisfactory and appropriate for their professional requirements and respectively to determine where they believe the strengths and potential for improvement in the Degree Program for Nursing Science lie.

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The Bachelor’s Curriculum for Nursing Science

Theory: 140 ECTS / 3,500 hrs.

Practical Training: 100 ECTS / 2,500 hrs

The above also includes:

Bachelor’s Theses: 10 ECTS / 250 hrs.

Free Electives : 12 ECTS / 300 hrs.

Required Electives: 6 ECTS / 150 hrs.

Practical Training Electives: 8 ECTS / 200 hrs.

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Part 1 (90 ECTS) Course

Type ECTS Semester hours

1^st Semester (30 ECTS)

Biology, Anatomy and Physiology 1* VO 2.5 2.8

Health Education and Promotion, Occupational Medicine 1* VO 1.5 1

Sociology, Psychology, Education and Social Hygiene 1* VO 2 2

Job-specific Legal Basis 1* VO 1 1.2

Professional Ethics and Introduction to the Health Care and Nursing Profession 1* SE 1.5 2.7

Health Care and Nursing 1* SE 6.5 10.7

Hygiene and Infectious Diseases* SE 2.5 4

Nutrition, Health and Diet* SE 1.5 2

First Aid, Disaster Management and Radiation Protection 1* SE 1 2

Communication, Conflict Management and Supervision 1* SE 0.5 1

Required Practical Training 1* PR 9.5

2^nd Semester (30 ECTS)

General and Special Pathology 1* VO 2 1.5

Biology, Anatomy and Physiology 2* VO 2 1.5

Health Care and Nursing 2* SE 3.5 5.3

Job-specific Ergonomics and Bodywork 1* SE 1 1.8

Required Practical Training 2A* PR 10

Required Practical Training 2B* PR 11

Free Electives 0.5

3^rd Semester (30 ECTS)

Care in an Aging Society* VO 2 2

Principles of Nursing Science and Nursing Research 1* SE 2.5 2

General and Special Pathology 2A* VO 1.5 1.6

General and Special Pathology 2B* VO 0.5 0.8

General and Special Pathology 2C* VO 1 0.7

Pharmacology 1* VO 1.5 1.5

EDP, Computer Science, Statistics, Documentation* SE 1 1

Subject-specific English 1* SE 1.5 2

Care of the Elderly 1* SE 1.5 2

Palliative Care 1* SE 1 1.4

Job-specific Ergonomics and Bodywork 2* SE 0.5 0.9

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Healthcare Structures and Facilities 1* SE 0.5 1

Communication, Conflict Management and Supervision 2* SE 1 1.7

Elective 1* SE 2 3.4

Required Practical Training 3* PR 9.5

Free Electives 2.5

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Type ECTS Semester hours

4^th Semester (30 ECTS)

General and Special Pathology 3A** VO 1 1.3

General and Special Pathology 3B** VO 1 0.9

Gerontology, Geriatics and Geriatric Psychiatry** VO 1.5 1.4

Job-specific Legal Basis 2** VO 1 1.2

Professional Ethics and Introduction to the Health Care and Nursing Profession 3** SE 1 1.4

Health Care and Nursing 4** SE 3 5.3

Communication, Conflict Management and Supervision 3** SE 0.5 1

Required Practical Training 4a** PR 8

Required Practical Training 4a** PR 13

5^th Semester (30 ECTS)

Principles of Nursing Science and Nursing Research 2** SE 1 1.4

General and Special Pathology 4A** VO 1 1

General and Special Pathology 4B** VO 1 1.2

General and Special Pathology 4C** VO 1 0.8

Pharmacology 2** VO 1.5 1.5

Sociology, Psychology, Education and Social Hygiene 2** SE 1 1

EDP, Computer Science, Statistics, Documentation 2** SE 1 1.2

Subject-specific English 2** SE 1 1

Health Care and Nursing 5** SE 2.5 3.4

Care of the Elderly 2** SE 1 1.4

Palliative Care 2** SE 1 1.4

Home Care 1** SE 1 1.4

Job-specific Ergonomics and Bodywork 2** SE 1 2

Communication, Conflict Management and Supervision 3** SE 1 1.7

Elective 2** SE 2 3.4

Required Practical Training 5** PR 9

Free Electives 3

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The courses and practical training in Part 1 marked with * must be completed successfully before attending the courses and practical training in Part 2 marked with **.

Type ECTS Semester Hours

6^th – 8^th Semester

Professional Ethics and Introduction to the Health Care and Nursing

Profession*** SE 1 ECTS 1.4

Principles of Nursing Science and Nursing Research*** SE 3 ECTS 2

Health Care and Nursing*** SE 5,5 ECTS 8.9

Palliative Care*** SE 1 ECTS 1.4

Home Care*** SE 1 ECTS 1.4

General and Special Pathology*** VO 4 ECTS 5

First Aid, Disaster Management and Radiation Protection*** SE 0,5 ECTS 1

Health Education and Promotion, Occupational Medicine*** VO 1,5 ECTS 1

Job-specific Ergonomics and Bodywork*** SE 1 ECTS 1.4

Sociology, Psychology, Education and Social Hygiene*** VO 1 ECTS 1

Communication, Conflict Management and Supervision*** SE 1,5 ECTS 2.7

Healthcare Structures and Facilities*** SE 1 ECTS 1.4

Subject-specific English*** SE 1 ECTS 1

Transcultural Nursing*** SE 2 ECTS 1

Evidence-based Practice (EBP)*** SE 5 ECTS 3

Reading and Evaluating Research Results*** SE 5 ECTS 3

Management, Supervision and Organization*** SE 5 ECTS 3

Free Electives - 6 ECTS -

Required Electives*** SE 2 ECTS 3.4

Required Practical Training*** - 22 ECTS -

Practical Training Electives*** - 8 ECTS -

Bachelor’s Theses - 10 ECTS -

Research and Practical Experience*** SE 2 ECTS 3

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The courses and practical training in Part 2 marked with ** must be completed successfully before attending the courses and practical training in Part 3 marked with ***.

For more information, please visit http://www.medunigraz.at/studium.

BACHELOR S DEGREE PROGRAM NURSING SCIENCE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ