The current system of nursing education in Poland was presented to the participants in the D-PATH Conference on Diabetes and Beyond, 7-9 June 2023 by Mrs. Patrycja Trojnar, MSc at the State Academy of Applied Sciences in Przemyśl .
The current system of nursing education in Poland consists of 3 years Bachelor's studies leading to a bachelor's degree; Master's studies leading to Master's degree after 2 years ; Doctoral studies and Post-graduate education. The program totals 4,780 hours which includes 2,300 practical classes and apprenticeships.
The program is being operates on the basis of the Educational Standards for medical faculties set by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
Bachelor's studies
After passing final exam young people can start the first-cycle of nursing studies which lasts 6 semesters corresponding to 180 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) . The aim of this stage of education is to equip graduates with the competences necessary to provide high-quality care for healthy people, those at risk of illness, and for the sick and dying.
It includes internships that take place in hospital wards and health care facilities as well as in schools and nurses' offices. Before leaving for practice with the patient, classes are taken in a simulation center where students can do practical activities to acquire soft skills (coping with stress, teamwork, etc).
Graduation means getting a diploma which consists of 3 parts: practical which takes place more and more often in a medical simulation center or less often in the ward; theoretical which contains questions for students on specialist subjects such as: surgical nursing, internal medicine nursing, pediatric nursing and the fundamentals of nursing
Diploma thesis is based on the presentation of an essay on a case report.
Master studies
This is a 2-year second-cycle studies of four full time semesters . When finishing, graduates will obtain the professional title of Master of Nursing. After graduation, graduates can teach in nursing schools.
Post graduation obligations include Polish nurses furthering their education by attending courses and specializations which last 2 years and end with an obligatory exam anywhere throughout Poland.
They can obtain the title of specialist in the following feilds:
• Anesthesia and intensive care nursing
• Surgical nursing
• Geriatric nursing
• Internal nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Operative Nursing
• Long term care nursing
• Palliative care nursing
• Pediatric nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Emergency Nursing
• Family Nursing
• Workers' health protection.