Nursing specialisations at bachelor level will begin this autumn at the University of Luxembourg. Starting in mid-September 2023, the University will welcome students in four new Bachelors of Science in Nursing, in anaesthesia and resuscitation, surgical medical technical assistant, pediatrics and psychiatry. These courses are intended for professionals who have already completed a degree in general nursing.
In order to better meet the needs of Luxembourg’s healthcare sector in the long term, the government mandated the University of Luxembourg to develop several Bachelor programmes in nursing sciences, in maieutic sciences-midwifery and for MIT in radiology (medical imaging technician).
In total, seven new bachelor degrees in the health sector will be launched gradually:
- In September 2023, four Bachelors of Science in Nursing – Specialisations will be launched: Surgical Medical Technical Assistant, Nurse in Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Pediatric Nurse and Psychiatric Nurse.
- In September 2024, a Bachelor of Nursing in General Care, a Bachelor of Maieutic Sciences – Midwifery and a Bachelor of Medical Imaging Technicians in Radiology will start.
All programmes will combine academic training using innovative and interactive methods with practical training in inpatient and outpatient settings.
“Bachelor degrees in nursing are associated with improving the quality of care as well as the attractiveness of the nursing profession”, said Prof. We want to develop certain courses in partnership with bachelors in other disciplines as well as promote research in nursing sciences to meet the clinical challenges of the future, one of the two study directors. “Laurence Bernard”, added Prof. Marie Friedel, the second study director.
The Bachelors in Nursing Sciences are intended for professionals who have already completed their degree in general nursing and wish to specialise in one of the aforementioned nursing disciplines. The main language of teaching will be French, but some courses will be taught in German and English. A maximum of 15 students can be admitted per year in each study programme. Each programme lasts 4 semesters including one semester abroad.
Registration is open until 17 July 2023. To be admitted, candidates must be authorised to practice as a nurse responsible for general care in Luxembourg. Level B2 in French and German is also required.
The Bachelor in medicine: a proof of confidence in training in Luxembourg
The presentation of the new programmes was also an opportunity for the Minister of Higher Education and Research, Claude Meisch, and the University to draw an initial assessment of the first cycle in medical training. To increase the number of young medical doctors and safeguard the health system in the long term, the government had entrusted the University with setting up a Bachelor in Medicine. This study programme began in 2020 and continues with growing success. The 2022/2023 academic year welcomed third-year Bachelor of Medicine students for the first time.
The current enrolment is 130 students in the first year, 32 in the second year and 13 in the third year. “The growing number of medical students who complete their bachelor studies in Luxembourg is a great proof of confidence in the quality of our training“, underlines Prof. Gilbert Massard, director of medical studies. “Students appreciate above all the simulation courses, the tutoring as well as the early integration into medical practice thanks to the numerous internships and exchanges with medical practitioners.”
A second step towards expanding the medical training offer was the launch of three medical specialisation programmes in September 2021: in general medicine, medical oncology and neurology. In the 2022/23 academic year, the University trained 24 young doctors in these specialisations.
“Teaching and research in the field of health and medicine are one of the pillars of our University”, confirms Prof. Jens Kreisel, rector of the University. “By launching the programmes in nursing and medical sciences, the University shows it is a strong partner to society.” The rector also expressed his gratitude towards the Lycée Technique pour Professions de Santé (LTPS), the Fédération des Hôpitaux Luxembourgeois, COPAS, the National Association of Nurses of Luxembourg and the various ministries for the collaboration on this project.
“The reorganisation of the training of health professions is an investment in quality and demonstrates the importance that the government attaches to these sectors”, concludes Claude Meisch, Minister of Higher Education and Research. “Teaching specialised nursing professions at the uUniversity level is an important step for the health sector, and for the University of Luxembourg, as were the creation of the Bachelor in Medicine and the introduction of specialised study programmes in general medicine, neurology and medical oncology. All these programmes make it possible to train more health professionals in Luxembourg to meet the growing demand of the country with regards to the sustainability of a qualitative and efficient health system.”
from left to right: Prof. Gilbert Massard, Léon Diederich, Claude Meisch, Prof. Dr Jens Kreisel, Prof. Laurence Bernard, Prof. Marie Friedel
More information about the new nursing training courses: https://nursing.uni.lu