Margret Kritzinger BScN MSc

Learning stations as a bridge to professional nursing practice

Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Healthcare and Nursing take on a position of responsibility within the healthcare sector at the start of their careers. As members of the Higher Nursing Service (DGKP), they are responsible for the direct and indirect care of people of all age groups in a variety of care settings. The transition from training to professional practice presents a key challenge, as new entrants to the profession are expected to quickly assume a professional nursing role and ensure safe, high-quality patient care.

So-called ‘learning wards’ represent a promising approach to supporting this transition. These are selected clinical wards where nursing students, under professional supervision, take on responsibility for the management, care and support of patients. Training wards enable students to apply and further develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they have acquired in an authentic care setting. The aim is to strengthen nursing competencies and to prepare students specifically for their entry into the profession.

The evaluation of academic programmes has a long tradition in higher education and is an essential component of quality assurance. As an educational institution for the healthcare professions, the Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences for Healthcare Professions plays a key role in ensuring high-quality training. Evaluation studies provide important insights into the quality, outcomes and impact of educational programmes. The systematic review of training components, including practical work placements, enables the evidence-based further development of teaching and learning concepts and contributes to the achievement of defined training objectives.

National and international research findings show that learning stations can make a positive contribution to the development of nursing and interprofessional skills. Against this background, there are plans to increasingly implement training and learning stations in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Healthcare and Nursing in the future. This is intended to make a further contribution to promoting professional competence and to ensuring a successful and sustainable start to the careers of nursing graduates.