Mag.^a Dr.ⁱⁿ phil. Ursula Halbmayr-Kubicsek 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.

There is a large and even growing need for qualified nurses to provide high-quality care for people with dementia in the healthcare system. At the same time, studies show that nursing students have low preferences working in dementia care.

Nurses have overall responsibility for the nursing process. Newly graduated nurses can feel overwhelmed by this responsibility, especially when starting their careers. The assignment on learning wards is intended to strengthen the nursing skills and prepare them for a successful career start. Learning wards are selected clinical wards where nursing students assume responsibility for the management, care and support of patients to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have learned during their theoretical training.

In Austria, as in many other countries, the older population continues to grow. Often elderly people prefer staying in their own homes for as long as they can, and only move into a nursing home at a later stage in their lives or only if need be. However, to respond to this important and understandable request for independence, family members and informal caregivers have to take on challenging responsibilities. Our project aims to support these individuals in home care for elderly people.

In Austria, nursing predominantly takes place at home. Mainly relatives or informal caregivers working for agencies which provide personal assistance are involved. Professional nurses and medical specialists are often contacted at a very late stage. This leaves both family and informal caregivers with a variety of challenges.