Implementation of Professional Competences in the Nursing Curricula at Selected Slovak Universities
The aim of this paper was to summarise the theoretical background of key competences in undergraduate nursing education at selected Slovak universities based on international recommendations for training of nurses. The objective was to assess whether the content of nursing education was focused on patient safety.
Methods. The curricula of nursing programmes at selected Slovak universities were analysed and compared in accordance with eight key competences of the amended EU Directive 2013/55/EC and-Competency Framework of nursing practice issued by the European Federation of Nurses.
Results. The Competency Framework and eight key competences listed in the Directive determine the minimum competence level to perform the nursing profession. The content of nursing programmes at selected Slovak universities reflects current advancements in nursing such as orientation of health care towards disease prevention, long-term care and community-based care, patient safety, e-health and information computer technologies development, and research and evidence-based practice. The analysis presumes that all higher education institutions in Slovakia deliver nursing education that assures necessary competences for graduates to perform nursing. The accreditation process fosters the improvements of nursing programmes to assure quality of nursing education in colleges and universities in Slovak Republic.
Conclusions. Curricula of nursing programmes at selected Slovak universities are in compliance with the Competency Framework of the European Federation of Nurses (EFN) and imply eight professional competences listed in the EU Directive 2013/55/EC. The content of subjects in nursing programmes should be studied with an emphasis on the development of professional competences for patient safety.
Correspondence to G. Štefková Department of Nursing Care, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Trieda SNP 1, 040 11 Košice, Slovakia. E-mail: gabriela.stefkova@upjs.sk