Nursing – Public Health

About the Programme

The importance and complexity of public health are increasingly coming to the forefront due to recent global events (pandemics, migration crises, fluctuations in the workforce from different cultures, attitudes towards illness and health in different cultures, population structures, social and political changes).

The expansive development of nursing and the application of new technologies in biomedicine and healthcare are leading to the expansion of the traditional role of nurses/technicians, which was focused on patient care, towards the obligation of nurses/technicians to provide healthcare services, counselling on disease prevention, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles within the patient’s family, workplace, and other communities of which the patient is a member, as well as in schools, nursing homes, and patient associations. At the same time, the active participation of the nursing profession in data collection and in the prevention, control and containment of infectious diseases, as well as participation in all social initiatives and efforts aimed at disease prevention, prolongation of human life, improvement of the quality of life of vulnerable population groups (children, oncology patients, the elderly), promotion of healthy habits and lifestyles, and a healthy environment.9

Considering the large number of specific activities involved in the protection of community health, alongside clinical medical specialisations it is necessary to develop nursing activities and practice within public health. The fundamental prerequisite for this is the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for the promotion and protection of health, achieving well-being and improving quality of life at the population level. This cannot be achieved without substantive and methodological interdisciplinarity. Knowledge from the fields of natural sciences, social sciences and humanities is required, as well as knowledge of legal practice and political action. With the application of such knowledge, they can become responsible professionals in the field of public health and contribute to the coherence of the public health system.

The profile of a Master of Nursing in public health is essential in the field of health protection, disease prevention and health promotion across all segments and at all levels of social organisation. In addition, numerous healthcare and social institutions, as well as civil society organisations, express the need for professionals who, with the acquired competencies, will implement disease prevention programmes through intersectoral cooperation and propose solutions for the needs of intersectoral cooperation in programmes of disease prevention, health protection and improvement of the quality of life of various population groups and the community as a whole.

The study programme is implemented as a part-time study programme, with part of the teaching delivered in a hybrid and online format, up to a maximum of 40% of the total study programme, in accordance with the Recommendation of the Senate of the University of Rijeka.

This is a study programme in which, among other things, fundamental disciplines from the fields of healthcare, education, nursing and research methodology are represented. The programme consists of 7 compulsory modules and 4 elective modules, of which 2 must be selected. The acquisition of knowledge in the aforementioned areas is a prerequisite for enrolment in the second year of study, which consists of 6 compulsory modules and 6 elective modules, of which 2 must be selected.

In the course descriptions for the second year, the courses from the first year that are prerequisites for enrolment in specific second-year courses are clearly indicated.

The content of all courses is thematically interconnected through theoretical teaching, seminars and practical exercises, thereby integrating the content of each course. Seminar topics and the preparation of seminar papers, projects and research are closely related to theoretical teaching and are carried out through exercises, workshops or other forms of teaching specified in the course descriptions.

In accordance with the principles of the Bologna Declaration, the proposed study programme is structured and evaluated with 120 ECTS credits and lasts two years. The study programme concludes with the defence of a master’s thesis.