The Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society was appointed yesterday by the Minister of Science, Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf, together with the University of Trier, as a health focus in connection with the implementation of partial academization in the nursing professions. In order to create new study programs, it will receive two additional professorships and a staff position for practice coordination for the upcoming steps on the path of conversion and expansion of its programs.
"With the expansion of the study programs, we want to create additional, highly qualified training capacities and take into account the increasing demand for nursing specialists," explained Science Minister Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf at an event in Trier. In doing so, he emphasized the special importance for the state government: "With the University of Trier and the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society, we are enabling a good regional distribution of study programs in the field of nursing". The strong development in nursing and health care professions by the two universities as health care focal points is a milestone in ensuring the provision of nursing care in Rhineland-Palatinate, he said.
University President Prof. Dr. Peter Mudra expressed his delight at the special recognition of the achievements associated with the development of the nursing degree programs and the midwifery degree program, as well as the recognized expertise of the entire university in the health sector. He pointed out that the "Ludwigshafen health portfolio" offers a wide variety of qualified courses and fields of action. In addition to the current five degree programs, the research network Health and the Institute for Management, Economics and Care in the Health Sector (IMÖVG) were part of this in the area of applied research, as well as a strong integration in regional and supra-regional networks such as InnoNet HealthEconomy, the network of the health economy in Rhineland-Palatinate, in the area of transfer.
The primary qualifying bachelor's degree program "Applied Nursing Science" is to be launched in the winter semester 2021/22 as a seven-semester program and replace the previous dual training-integrated degree program. Upon successful completion of the Degree, graduates will earn an academic Bachelor's Degree as well as generalist professional recognition as a "Nursing Specialist." The primary qualification bachelor's degree program in midwifery is also expected to be realigned in the winter semester of 2021/22 with a view to the full academization required for this healthcare field and will be launched as a seven-semester degree program in applied midwifery science with an additional part-time option. Furthermore, in order to increase the attractiveness and as a contribution to the professional development of nursing and midwifery sciences, the establishment of a master's degree program for the field of nursing and midwifery as a consecutive master's degree program with the title "Innovative Care Practice in Nursing and Midwifery" is planned for 2020.
For the acquisition of competence in nursing and midwifery, the content-related networking of the learning locations of university and practice is important, whereby the increase in competence of the students should also be achieved through an integrated skills lab concept.
"With the partial academization of the nursing professions and the full academization of midwifery training, our university is embarking on an important path for Rhineland-Palatinate and its future viability," said Mudra, emphasizing the importance of his institution's agreement with the Ministry of Science, which also includes, in particular, an understanding of sustainable support for the undoubtedly demanding processes.
"I would like to thank the Ministry of Science for its trust and support - as well as my team at the university, whose expertise and commitment make the whole thing possible," Mudra said.
He is convinced that this sets very important accents for the strategic orientation of the university. This also includes the agreement on cooperative doctorates in the field of nursing science, which is planned as part of the cooperation with the University of Trier.
