The working group for specialist nursing education has begun its work

Report to be completed by April

The working group meets every other week and is a high priority during the spring. A first draft of the report is expected to be ready by the end of March. This will be followed by preparation work in April, with a planned handover to the Disciplinary Domain Board (ON) on 15 April. The first measures will be implemented in connection with the 2027 operational plan.

An acute financial situation requires swift action

The financial deficit in the specialist nursing education means that the change process needs to proceed rapidly. At the same time, the situation is complex, and measures must be addressed at several levels – nationally, in collaboration with other universities and regions, as well as internally at the departmental level.

“It is a major task that needs to be done, and it needs to be done now, ahead of the 2027 operational planning process,” says Johan Wikström, Vice-Dean for First and Second Cycle Education at the Faculty of Medicine, who is leading the work.

He particularly highlights the need to

• give the Undergraduate and Master’s Education Committee at the Faculty of Medicine (GRUNK) a clearer mandate to allocate educational assignments between departments,
• enable the redistribution of teaching responsibilities to doctorally qualified specialist nurses,
• adjust the programme’s internal accounting, and
• resume the collaboration group between Uppsala University and Region Uppsala with the right expertise and decision-making authority.

Review of the programme provision and strengthened regional collaboration

One of the investigator's proposals is to initiate a review of the specialist nursing education within the Healthcare Region of Central Sweden to optimise the number of higher education institutions for each specialisation within the specialist nursing education. This could also involve examining the conditions under which Uppsala University might relinquish the main responsibility for the specialisations in perioperative nursing and anaesthesia nursing.

“If this were to become relevant, it would entail significant changes, but also opportunities to strengthen collaboration between universities,” says Johan Wikström.

At the same time, the collaboration around clinical placements (VFU) and the Clinical Training Centre (KTC) needs to be developed and formalised. There is potential here for more cost-effective and appropriate ways of working. The working group also views two possible development paths positively: a long-term workforce planning strategy for specialist nurses and a pilot scheme for training positions as an ST nurse.

“If we can help make this a reality, it will be positive both for the university and for Swedish health care,” says Johan Wikström.

Many are affected by the change efforts

The work primarily concerns employees at the departments of Surgical Sciences (IKV), Public Health and Caring Sciences (IFV), Women's and Children's Health (KBH), and Medical Sciences (IMV). This is where the majority of the teachers within both the specialist nursing programmes and the nursing programme are based. Relevant operational areas at the Uppsala University Hospital are also affected, including managers of university healthcare units.

“We have to turn things around – and we will do it together”

Mats Larhed, Vice-Rector at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, emphasises the strong commitment in the working group:

“The issue is complex, and we must do everything we can to turn the financial situation around, here and now. Morale is high and willingness to collaborate is strong, both during the investigation and in the ongoing work.”

Ebba Burman