Organisation of the Study Programme and Teaching
The University Undergraduate part-time (dislocated) study programme in Nursing was established in 2008 through cooperation between the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka and Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, and since 2014 the programme has been delivered in cooperation with the Faculty of Health Studies in Rijeka.
The theoretical part of the study programme is delivered at Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, while the practical part (clinical skills) is carried out at General Hospital Karlovac, the Hospital for Extended Treatment Duga Resa, Karlovac Health Centre, Duga Resa Health Centre, the Institute of Emergency Medicine of Karlovac County, in patients’ homes, as well as in nursing homes for older and dependent persons.
The education includes compulsory, general education and professional courses (that is, fundamental medical, preclinical, clinical and public health subjects). In addition to compulsory courses, a certain number of elective courses is also enrolled.
In fundamental medical subjects, the student becomes familiar with the structure and function of the human body. In preclinical subjects, the mechanisms of disease, their causes, and the type and mode of action of medicines are studied. In clinical subjects, diseases are studied, including their recognition, prevention and treatment, as well as the care and rehabilitation of resulting impairments.
Significant attention is devoted to healthcare and the principles of nursing care. In public health subjects, the influence of environmental and social factors on health is studied, as well as the role of the Bachelor of Nursing in disease prevention within the natural living environment.
During the study, the student is introduced to the basics of scientific research, statistics and medical informatics. At the end of the study, a final thesis is defended.
The programme is aligned with EU Directive 2005/36/EC, which precisely defines the minimum education requirements for nurses, and with the Act on Regulated Professions and Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications, which enables mobility of graduates in the EU labour market.
Continuation of education is possible through graduate study programmes in Nursing, as well as graduate and postgraduate specialist or scientific programmes in the field of biomedicine and healthcare.
After completing three years, that is, 6 semesters (180 ECTS credits) of the Professional Undergraduate Study Programme in Nursing, students will be competent to independently plan, implement, supervise and evaluate nursing care based on the evaluation of facts as well as theoretical knowledge within the field of nursing care.
They are thus qualified for independent work in the healthcare system, where they have a recognised role in managing nursing care in clinical departments, organising nursing care in the community, and promoting health at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of disease prevention.
General Information
Name of the Programme
University Undergraduate (part-time) Study Programme in Nursing – Karlovac
Institution and Provider
University of Rijeka, Faculty of Health Studies
Duration of Study
3 years
Curriculum
Curriculum for the Academic Year 2025/2026
Detailed Course Plans 2025/2026
After Graduation
Upon completion of the study, the Bachelor of Nursing will acquire the following competencies based on learning outcomes:
- apply knowledge and skills in the field of healthcare
- assess the need for nursing care, set goals and priorities, plan and implement appropriate procedures (implementation), and evaluate and, if necessary, modify the care plan
- apply the nursing care process and maintain nursing documentation, and evaluate achieved outcomes in healthcare
- assess the need for education and apply principles and techniques of teaching individuals, families and communities
- recognise a life-threatening individual
- participate in improving and ensuring the quality of nursing practice standards, and continuously evaluate and assess nursing practice standards during work
- participate in the education of nurses and other healthcare professionals and/or associates
- use modern information and communication technology in written, oral and electronic form
- communicate with members of the nursing care team and other staff, as well as with the patient, their family and the community
- cooperate within the healthcare team at all levels of healthcare and within a multidisciplinary team; and maintain nursing documentation
Their role in the healthcare team at various levels of healthcare will be to monitor the health status of patients and life-threatening conditions. The Bachelor of Nursing will be able to assess educational needs and apply teaching principles and techniques to individuals, families and communities.
In addition, they will have the opportunity for further continuous learning, monitoring related professions, and conducting research in nursing, as well as participating in the education of nurses.
- apply the principles of holistic nursing care, respecting the individuality of the patient, applying a holistic approach and partnership relationship
- organise nursing care for different users in various healthcare and social institutions, as well as in their homes, and supervise its implementation
- self-assess the need and possibility for further personal learning
- use professional literature, develop responsibility for lifelong learning, professional development and improvement of competencies in accordance with labour market needs
- monitor research in the profession and participate in it