Würzburg introduces nursing science: new professorship and degree program in 2025

Würzburg introduces nursing science: new professorship and degree program in 2025

Prof. Dr. Melanie Messer recently took on an important position in the field of nursing sciences at the Würzburg University Medical Center by taking over the newly established chair of nursing sciences. This is a significant step for nursing education in Bavaria, as it is the first professorship in this discipline at a state university in the region. At the same time, she also took over the management of the newly founded Institute for Nursing Science at the University Hospital of Würzburg (UKW).

After moving from the University of Trier to Würzburg, where she previously held the professorship for nursing science with a focus on clinical care across the lifespan, Prof. Messer brings valuable experience with her. Her new responsibilities include not only teaching but also research focused on important challenges in chronic disease health care.

A new bachelor's degree program in nursing science

The planned curriculum in Würzburg stipulates that the bachelor's degree program in Nursing Science will start in the winter semester of 2025/26. This course of study offers graduates the opportunity to obtain an academic degree as a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and at the same time obtain state professional approval as a nursing specialist. The university aims to train academically qualified nursing staff who are able to work in different areas of life and take on advanced medical tasks.

What is particularly interesting is the close cooperation with the university hospital, which offers students practical training in various fields of care. Prof. Messer emphasizes that the course places particular emphasis on evidence-based clinical care, the use of digital technologies and the development of quality standards. This is a new and groundbreaking approach to nursing training in Bavaria.

In addition to teaching, the Institute of Nursing Science will focus intensively on research in the areas of quality of care and the use of new technologies in the healthcare system. Prof. Messer emphasizes that her research goals are to develop innovative care approaches that can be implemented in practice. “Ensuring and promoting quality of care will play a central role in our work,” she explains.

Prof. Messer has had an impressive academic career and brings extensive experience from various institutions. Her studies took her through nursing science and public health in Frankfurt and Bremen before she received her doctorate at Bielefeld University in 2017. She has also worked in various organizations that deal with quality and cost-effectiveness in healthcare, which underlines her expertise in this area.

Her political relevance is also reflected in the fact that she was appointed to the Federal Ministry of Health's Advisory Council on Health and Care, where she serves as deputy chairwoman. This commitment demonstrates her deep understanding of the challenges facing the healthcare sector and demonstrates her ability to make an impact both academically and politically.

The efforts to academize nursing are clear from the current developments at the Würzburg University Medical Center. Prof. Dr. Matthias Frosch, Dean of the Medical Faculty, emphasizes that with the development of nursing science, the faculty's curriculum will be expanded based on needs. “We are making an important contribution to training the urgently needed healthcare professionals,” he says. Marcus Huppertz, Nursing Director at UKW, also supports this view and emphasizes that the creation of the new institute will create national visibility for nursing science.

Prof. Messer is optimistic about the opportunities that the new chair will open up. She sees the close connection between science and practical application as an opportunity to improve the quality of care and effectively meet the challenges of the health sector.

The developments in Würzburg could not only serve as a model for other universities, but also help to raise nursing to an academically sound level and thus develop future-oriented solutions for current and future challenges. The incorporation of new technologies and evidence-based approaches promises lasting positive change in nursing practice.

For more information on these developments, see the current reporting on nachrichten.idw-online.de.