From model to standard degree program: 10 years of Nursing Science

Deputy Professor Dr Bettina Glunde welcomed numerous companions, cooperation partners, teaching staff, employees and students to the anniversary celebration "10 years of Nursing Science in Brandenburg" on 16 November 2023 at the Konrad Zuse Media Centre on Campus Senftenberg.

In her welcoming address, BTU President Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande described it as an incredibly innovative idea to have made Senftenberg a pioneering location - not only for Nursing Science, but also for the academicization of other health professions. "The concept has worked out wonderfully," said the President, also referring to the founding of the Institute of Health and the study programmes established here alongside Nursing Sciences, Vocational Education in Healthcare Professions and Midwifery Sciences. "This location is our health campus," the President emphasized with reference to the University Development Plan and pointed out a major new opportunity in connection with the future university hospital in Cottbus, among other things. "And so this location is on a great path," said the President and thanked all those who have played their part in the impressive and great results. In particular, she thanked Prof. Dr. Barbara Knigge-Demal, the former representative for the establishment of health-related study programs at the Senftenberg university location, the ministries involved, the cooperation partners and everyone who is involved here at BTU, including the students.

Michael Ranft, State Secretary in the Brandenburg Ministry of Health, also offered his warmest congratulations. He explained: "This ten-year anniversary is something very special for me. Because this process was a matter close to my heart". In his review, he looked back on the development of health-related study programs at BTU and Nursing Science in particular. "They were courageous steps that required a high level of expertise," he said, thanking Prof. Dr. Barbara Knigge-Demal and the former President of the Lausitz University of Applied Sciences, one of the two predecessor institutions of today's BTU, Prof. Dr. Günter H. Schulz, among others. The speaker pointed out problems that still exist in the academization of healthcare professions and the understanding of their necessity, but also important improvements that can be expected, among other things, with regard to funding on the basis of the new Nursing Studies Strengthening Act. "My House will continue to support the study programme at BTU," emphasized the State Secretary.

The mayor of Senftenberg, Andreas Pfeiffer, made the appreciation from the region clear with his presence.
Andrea Stewig-Nitschke, Director of Nursing at the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus, presented her experiences as a representative of the cooperation institutions for inpatient acute care, pediatrics and psychiatry in the Nursing Science study programme and reported on how it is possible to provide students with the best possible practical support.
Lina Gürtler, a student in her third semester, was delighted to have the opportunity to qualify for a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science at BTU close to home after training as a nurse and several years of professional experience, thus bringing scientific expertise to patients.

Dr. Bettina Glunde, deputy professor, presented pioneers in Nursing Science and in particular paid tribute to the achievements of highly committed women and scientists from the 19th century to the present day. She concluded by highlighting the pioneering work at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, naming Jeannette Jänchen, Head of the Department of Teaching and Learning in Professional Practice, Prof. Dr. Anja Walter, Prof. Dr. Heidrun Herzberg and, in particular, Prof. Dr. Barbare Knigge-Demal. She also discussed research projects such as "Re-creating instead of adding" - designing the new nursing training curriculum in the state of Brandenburg (Neksa), the DFG study "On the transformation of the professional habitus of nursing teachers" and the new project "Professionalization of housing advice".

The first part of the anniversary event concluded with the exciting discussion "A look back with an outlook - a model becomes the norm" between Prof. Dr. Barbara Knigge-Demal and Jeannette Jänchen. The two speakers highlighted the successful development of the Nursing Science study programme at BTU and, in particular, emphasized the enormous commitment of the study programme's staff members, including the Department of Teaching and Learning. "We need health-related study programmes in order to meet the challenges facing society," emphasized Prof. Knigge-Demal. "We need people who have the courage to make decisions and change systems."
Stefan Burba from the Neksa project moderated the event, while Antonia and Paola - students of Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Teaching - provided the musical backdrop.

This was followed by marketplace encounters "All about Nursing Science", the presentation of cooperation partners and projects in the foyer of the Konrad Zuse Media Center. The specialist forum - "The use of academically qualified nursing staff in professional practice" - preceded the anniversary celebration.

Background:
In the winter semester of 2013/14, shortly after the new Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg was founded, the first students on the new health-related study programmes Nursing Science and Therapy Sciences were welcomed to the Konrad Zuse Media Center on Campus Senftenberg.
Ten years on, the development of the Senftenberg university site into the BTU's health campus has progressed. The Nursing Science study program, which was established as a model course in 2013, was converted into a standard course in 2020.
With the establishment of health-related study programmes as a focus at Campus Senftenberg in 2013, BTU pursued the goal of making a central contribution to healthcare in the state of Brandenburg against the backdrop of demographic and epidemiological challenges. For this reason, a generalist model degree course in Nursing Science was established at Campus Senftenberg.

Studying Nursing Science not only leads to a Bachelor of Science degree, but also to a professional qualification as a nursing specialist. This primary qualifying integrative study course model is the one favored in Germany. Vocational training is integrated into the study programme. The nursing profession is studied here. Compared to other study locations in Germany, which only started in 2020, BTU can look back on ten years of experience with its Nursing Science study programme, which is characterized by firmly anchoring science in nursing practice, and has long been in line with the international trend towards the academization of the nursing professions.
A special feature is the interlinked cooperation between the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Health and the State Offices for Occupational Safety, Consumer Protection and Health and for Social Affairs and Care.

More about the Nursing Science study programme: https://www.b-tu.de/en/pflegewissenschaft-bs-fh/