Nursing Science (program for working professionals)

Degree
Bachelor of Science
Semester fee
71 Euro
Start of the program
Winter semester
Standard length of the program
7 Semester
Place of study
Eichstätt
Part-time studies possible
No

Modern nursing care perceives itself as a holistic, person-centered service. Its responsible task is to maintain the independence of the sick and those in need of care, to restore it as far as possible, or to enable them to satisfyingly deal with the effects and impairments of illness or disability. Practicing nurses encounter increasingly complex challenges every day in their direct work with those in need of care, patients, residents and their relatives.

There is a clear trend: The nursing profession is becoming increasingly demanding. At the same time, the need for well-trained nurses is immense. This is precisely where the Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science comes in. The degree program is aimed at people who would like to continue working in direct care in inpatient, day-care and outpatient settings and at the same time expand their knowledge for action. It is therefore offered as a parallel program for working professionals. Specifically, this means: The program alternates between attendance and online events and you will visit the University campus in Eichstätt on average on 4 days per month. Your professional training is accredited to the program with 70 ECTS credits. The remaining 140 ECTS credits must be obtained in the course of seven semesters. This reduces the overall burden of study workload and helps you combine your professional life and studies.

The program in detail

Contents

Welttag_der_Kranken_Tag1
© privat Symposium on 2019 World Day of the Sick

This study program in particular aims at the further development of the nursing practice in hospitals, nursing homes for the elderly, home care and other fields of nursing action.

As practicing nurses, you will learn to integrate specific questions and problems from your direct care environment into the study program as practice-relevant issues, to approach them from a theoretical perspective and to elaborate and scientifically substantiate their relevance to nursing science and nursing practice. By systematically reflecting on your practical professional experience, thus including scientific findings and research results, you will sharpen your critical analysis skills. You will learn to reinterpret relevant decisions in the nursing practice by reflecting on your own nursing or therapeutic actions based on scientific knowledge. You learn to examine available care options with regard to connected scientific evidence. This will allow you to expand your knowledge and your professional decision-making competence and recognition; in addition, this development will have an influence on your professional attitude.

The Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science is particularly dedicated to the perceived contrast between theory and practice. Regularities arising from professional socialization and logics grounded in the nursing practice are discussed in relation to scientifically substantiated and evidence-based models of thought and action. Due to the progressive aging of society, the increase in chronic diseases and, most recently, the corona pandemic, the demands on nursing services are rising. The ability to utilize scientific findings and evidence-based research for one’s own care decisions in everyday nursing practice is thus becoming increasingly valuable. The Nursing Science program at the KU offers you precisely this opportunity for scientifically substantiated further qualification.

The study program deals with a wide variety of aspects of nursing and health. In order to cover a broad range of aspects, the KU uses a variety of teaching formats: Exercises, colloquia, case discussions, journal clubs or even field trips ensure the transfer of what you have learned by means of practical examples. In the section ‘Structure’, you will find information on the specific structure of the degree program. A special benefit of the FH program at the KU is the close network with many other faculties of the University and thus the access to a diverse range of courses as well as the exchange with students from a wide variety of disciplines.

Structure

The study program is subdivided into two sections. The basic studies from the first to the third semester focus on scientific-theoretical and methodological foundations and introduce you to the study program. From the fourth semester onwards, the study content systematically imparts methodical basics for a transfer between theory and practice.

Semester 1

The first semester focuses on the introduction to the program and the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills. Based on selected theories and models, you will acquire in-depth knowledge of the theoretical foundations of nursing. You will also approach the national and international development of nursing science. Historical, health policy and economic influences on the development of nursing as well as the legal framework for the nursing and social system in Germany are critically examined. You will also deal with the quality criteria and requirements for scientific work and writing and learn to apply these scientific skills in initial writing projects.

Semesters 2-3

The courses in the second and third semesters mainly have an exercise-based character and deal with theoretical research questions and their strengths and weaknesses for dealing with problems relevant to the professional practice. You will learn how to use tools and methods confidently and thus reduce associated uncertainties in their application.

In the second semester, you are introduced to the methods of empirical social research, specifically descriptive and inferential statistics as well as qualitative research, including respective methods and procedures of data collection and analysis. In nursing science, both scientific-theoretical positions are opposed to each other as ways of knowledge. Correspondingly, you will deepen your methodological skills in practical modules on both quantitative and qualitative nursing research in the following semesters.

In the module “Ethics and Anthropology of Nursing”, you will deal with ethical concerns in complex nursing and care situations. Ethically based dilemmas accompany and shape professional decisions in everyday life in nursing care. Taking into account fundamental ethical principles on a case-by-case and system level, you will learn to analyze and argue for professionally relevant ethical standards, guidelines and instructions for action, also under consideration of the complexity of the individual case, and to apply them in practical situations. 

In the module “Introduction to Nursing and Health Care Research”, you will deal with different research interests relevant to nursing and with the improvement of structures and processes in health care. You will simultaneously be introduced to literature research. The ability to research and access scientific publications on specific topics is an important skill for evidence-based action and decision-making processes.

Semester 4

The part of the program from the fourth semester onwards establishes the link to nursing practice. You will learn to apply the basics from the first three semesters and reflect on professional decisions based on experienced practice situations against the background of analyzed data and research results.

The study contents in the fourth semester itself deal with nursing diagnostics and needs assessment, the transformation of scientific results into nursing practice, training and counseling as well as connected pedagogical and didactic foundations.

Semester 5

Nursing diagnosis as a cognitive process and the assessment of needs are central topics of the fifth semester. In addition, aspects of cross-sectoral and inter-professional care, taking into account culturally sensitive approaches, are addressed in detail. One module is also devoted to the important topic of digitalization and technology in nursing.

In addition, the program addresses the topic of consultation and education, in the sense of information provision, training and instruction by nursing staff. As students, you will be enabled to create and apply consulting, training and instruction concepts and learning offers in line with target-group requirements, taking into account personal teaching and learning processes. This content also prepares you for qualification as a practical instructor in accordance with the guidelines of the DKG (German Hospital Association).

Semester 6

The modules “Basics of Knowledge Transfer and Practice Research” and “Organizational and Practice Development in Nursing Settings” introduce you to implementation and evaluation research and the field of project management.

Transformation means the introduction and implementation of scientific results into practice, and pursues the goal of improving the quality of nursing (care). Professional guidelines, standards and concepts or the method of action research are considered as useful ways and means in this context. The consequences and changes resulting from this for the organization of nursing can be illustrated by the implementation of expert standards of the German Network for Quality Development in Nursing (DNQP).

Semester 7

The central pillar of the seventh semester and the prerequisite for obtaining the academic degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing Science is the Bachelor’s thesis. In your thesis, you independently develop and work on a topic of your own choice from a subject area related to nursing science.


The period allocated for working on the thesis is five months.

Facilities

The Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science for working professionals is a program offered by the Faculty of Social Work at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and falls under the responsibility of said Faculty. Students can use all facilities and support services that the University provides for students – these include the University Library, Computer Center, Sports Center and the Language Center.

Building of the Faculty of Social Work: the former Capuchin Monastery
[Translate to Englisch:] Teilbibliothek Aula
Departmental Library Aula: Here, you can find specialist literature and a quiet place to work
[Translate to Englisch:] Kapuzinergarten
Place to take a deep breath: The Capuchin garden

Rankings and assessments

StudyCheck2024

KU students and alumni have voted for their University to be Germany's most popular university in the 2024 ranking of the online portal StudyCheck. This is the third time in a row, as KU was also voted the most popular university in 2021 and 2022. The ranking was based on over 78,000 evaluations for more than 500 higher education institutions and universities. 97 percent of students questioned for the ranking would recommend studying at the KU to others. 

"There is no better praise for a university than almost 100 percent of students and alumni agreeing: I can only recommend studying at the KU! That is why we are very pleased with the ranking’s outcome, because it expresses the high level of satisfaction of our students," says KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien.

More ranking results

Practical connection

Parallel to their studies, students pursue a professional activity. This means that there is a clear reference to the professional field. There are no additional internships. From the fourth semester onwards, the practical relevance is established in terms of content by students bringing aspects of care and concerns from their everyday practice into the study program to discuss the problem and its theoretical aspects together. In this way, students learn to reflect on their own nursing activities on the basis of scientific findings and to deal both with theoretical and practical knowledge. They acquire skills in critically examining care options in terms of their evidence-based character and in transferring research-based problem solving, new technologies and innovative approaches to solutions into professional action.

Career possibilities and professional fields

Possible fields of work as a “graduated” nurse are future-proof and diverse. Fields of work arise in inpatient, day-care and outpatient care areas as well as at universities of applied sciences and universities.

As a nursing expert, you will take on extended tasks in the direct care of those affected and in project, process and quality development. You train, advise and accompany affected persons and their families. You provide targeted guidance for nursing and care staff or colleagues together with training centers and further education institutions. You also have the option of pursuing an academic career: As a research associate at universities or health care institutions, you will work on nursing research projects or be involved in academic teaching.

Impressions of the Bachelor’s graduation festivities of the past years:

Alumni testimonials

“I completed the Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science in Eichstätt in 2019. Up to the 6th semester, the studies were integrated into my professional training; after that, I studied in the program as a working professional parallel to my job. In addition to my studies, I completed my professional training as a…

“I completed the Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science in Eichstätt in 2019. Up to the 6th semester, the studies were integrated into my professional training; after that, I studied in the program as a working professional parallel to my job. In addition to my studies, I completed my professional training as a health care worker and nurse. With my Bachelor’s degree, I was able to find work as a nursing supervisor in inpatient long-term care. Meanwhile, I work in a care support center and provide a variety of consultation services. I support those affected and those in need of care in general questions on the need for care or in specific questions, for example on outpatient or inpatient care systems. I also give advice regarding care for relatives with certain symptoms. During our studies, we were prepared for consultation settings both with theoretical content and with practical exercises. I can benefit from this knowledge now and it helps me deal with counseling situations in everyday professional life more confidently and to better support those seeking help. Meanwhile, I started studying again – this time at the Philosophical-Theological University in Vallendar. I would like to continue my professional development with a Master’s program in Nursing Science.

For me, the Bachelor’s degree program in Nursing Science in Eichstätt opened up new and diverse professional and further education opportunities in the nursing landscape. The studies helped me to better understand complex problem situations that arise in everyday professional life and to approach and discuss phenomena more critically. I was able to broaden my personal horizon and to deepen my understanding of what nursing can also mean. I felt very well looked after and supported in Eichstätt. The small study groups made an intensive and lively exchange with the lecturers possible. The program offers interesting content for personal and professional development alike. Therefore, I think it is important that nursing in Germany continues to become more academic and professional. The study program in Eichstätt makes an essential contribution to this.”

- Carolin(2019 graduate)

What students say about the program

Carmen Jung

„In addition to my work as a practice guide in practical training at the clinic, I am studying Nursing Science in part-time. Studying broadens my horizon and is also an enrichment for my practical work. After longer periods of professional experience in nursing on a gynecological and obstetrical ward and as a lactation…

„In addition to my work as a practice guide in practical training at the clinic, I am studying Nursing Science in part-time. Studying broadens my horizon and is also an enrichment for my practical work. After longer periods of professional experience in nursing on a gynecological and obstetrical ward and as a lactation counselor IBCLC, I was looking for further professional challenges. Practical guidance was a first step, but with the new tasks and the work on restructuring the training to become a nurse, it became increasingly clear to me that larger contexts had to be considered. The degree program in Eichstätt is so well suited for this, as it focuses on further development in practical nursing and not necessarily on a re-orientation like study programs in nursing management or nursing education. The Nursing Science program lays a broad foundation that allows you to develop further in different directions from there. I also see the strong connection to practical nursing as a great advantage, because this is precisely where further developments are necessary right in the care situation. Work is also more fun again due to the diverse new impulses you get during your studies. In the study program, you can always contribute your own experiences and approach your own work-related topics from a scientific point of view. The exchange with fellow students leads to a varied perspective in the courses. You develop further on a personal level and increase your understanding of your own professionalism. Since starting my studies, I have realized that we nurses have to take the further development of our profession and care into our own hands. We have the perspective with a direct focus on the patient and quality of our work that is needed for this and have the necessary knowledge.“

- Carmen Jung(student in the Nursing Science program)
Isabell Young

„I chose the Bachelor's degree program in Nursing Science at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt because it opens up international opportunities for my professional life. I have been studying since 2015 and am currently completing my Bachelor's thesis. The study program, 11 semesters in part-time…

„I chose the Bachelor's degree program in Nursing Science at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt because it opens up international opportunities for my professional life. I have been studying since 2015 and am currently completing my Bachelor's thesis. The study program, 11 semesters in part-time simultaneously to my professional work, allowed me to continue working as a health care and nursing assistant in part-time, too.

In my studies, I primarily learned how to work scientifically. This gives me a better understanding of figures, data and facts in my daily professional life and enables me to reflect on what I decide and do and to assess my own actions differently than before. This skill is in demand and opens doors for my professional future, not only in the hospital. Since I have family in Australia, I can also imagine working there in the countryside in the future. Thanks to the international recognition of the Bachelor's degree, this is generally possible without having to catch up on the entire education and training there. In Australia, training generally takes place at university. Society down there has a different appreciation for professional nursing than it does here. This is also reflected in the remuneration of academic nurses in Germany that is not regulated by uniform standards. It is time to change this and value quality professional care here, too.“

- Isabell Young(student in the Nursing Science program)

The KU

Sommerresidenz Luftbild

Campus

Short distances on campus at the KU save time and avoid stress. The KU is a campus University with modern facilities. The buildings on campus are located close to the Eichstätt old town. Although the University and its campus has grown, it is still characterized by short distances: In Eichstätt, everything can be reached within ten minutes’ walking distance. On campus, green spaces such as the Hofgarten are the perfect places to relax. The garden of the Kapuzinerkloster is also used by different student initiatives for their projects. The canteen is located at the heart of the Eichstätt campus and has a sun deck and cafeteria that leave nothing to be desired.

Studierende vor der Zentralbibliothek

What sets the KU apart

Studying at the KU is more than just acquiring specialist knowledge. We broaden our horizons together and take on responsibility in and beyond the individual degree programs. The KU has a particular focus on topics such as personal development, sustainability, social skills and social commitment.

It offers its students the possibility to study and work in a welcoming atmosphere and benefit from outstanding support and comprehensive service offers, a well-stocked library, a broad range of sports and leisure activities and a large global network of approx. 300 partner universities. Our team at the International Office helps you to plan your semester abroad and the KU Career Service provides comprehensive advice and support for embarking on your professional career.

Do I have to be Catholic in order to study at the KU? Do I have to deal with Catholic contents during my studies?

No, the KU is open to students of all faiths and beliefs.

At the KU, just as at all state universities, there is freedom of research and teaching. This means that our degree programs focus on the subjects for which you have enrolled – free from external influences.

As a student at our University, you will notice what our understanding of being a Catholic University means for us in one thing in particular: The University’s focus is on the individual person. The talents and potential of all those who teach, study, work and carry out research at the KU form our most important foundation – regardless of their religion or beliefs, nationality, ethical, cultural or social background, disabilities, gender, sexual orientation or age.

This is why we promote your best possible academic education through personal support and an ideal staff-to-student ratio. At the same time, the KU is more than just a place for earning your degree: We attach particular importance to imparting social skills and advancing our students’ sense and value orientation in addition to providing them with a high level of academic and methodical qualification.

Our aspiration for our University is to build bridges between science and society and to make knowledge available for society as well as to integrate impulses from outside the University into our research and teaching practice. We aim to make a valuable contribution to social coexistence, to the free democratic basic order and to preserving creation. 

Isn’t Eichstätt quite small for a university town?

With a population of around 15,000, it is probably the smallest university town in Europe. For our students, this means living and learning in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Whether it is on the way to a lecture in the morning, at the canteen for lunch or in the pub in the evening, you will often come across people you know. It is easy to meet people in Eichstätt! By the way, the KU’s “living room” is the Theke, a bar run by students for students. Here, people meet for parties, jam sessions, karaoke evenings or a cozy round of table football.

A small town also means short distances: The library, the swimming pool, the cinema or the supermarket – everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot or by bike. The town is located right in the heart of the Altmühltal natural park – a real paradise for climbers, canoeists, hikers and cyclists just around the corner.

Should you still reach a point when you feel too cooped in, you can breathe big city air easily near Eichstätt. Ingolstadt with its 135,000 inhabitants is only a few kilometers away and offers a variety of shopping and nightlife options.

The location

Ortsschild Eichstätt
University town of Eichstätt
Willibaldsburg
Willibaldsburg
Bootsfahrer auf der Altmühl
Canoeing on the Altmühl river
[Translate to Englisch:] Biergarten
Relaxing and celebrating in beer gardens

Eichstätt and the surrounding Altmühltal natural park are not only a popular destination for culture enthusiasts and nature lovers, but also for cyclists, climbers, canoeists and fossil collectors. Located between Munich and Nuremberg, the city impresses with its Baroque setting and southern flair combined with modern and prizewinning architecture as well as a broad variety of cultural offerings and leisure activities. 

The Baroque park at the heart of the campus and the nearby banks of the Altmühltal river are the KU’s “green living room”. Another big advantage: all University facilities are just a short walk away from each other.

More on the study location Eichstätt

Some offers and study conditions are different for international students – our International Office is happy to provide help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our team. We are happy to accompany you on your way to the KU and hope that we can welcome you in person soon!

David Guevara
David Guevara
Coordinator Welcome Services and International Campus
Building Domplatz 8  |  Room: DP8-203 | Campus Eichstätt

Application

Requirements
General university entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)
or subject-specific (FH) entrance qualification; completed three-year training as a nurse
Language requirements
DSH 2
Application period winter
May 01 - Jul 15
Admission restriction
No
Selection procedure
Yes

Application

The application process for international applicants is now completely digital. You can register online in our application portal and carry out and submit your application. After you have carried out the application and uploaded your documents, you do not need to send your documents to us again by post. You do have to submit certified true copies only if you are admitted at the time of enrollment.

Depending on the course of study, you may be asked for information on internships, professional experience, etc. Please upload the relevant documents in the upload area for all the information you provide, even if these are not mandatory fields!

Before you start the application process, please read the additional information on this page, in particular the information on the respective (German) language requirements and university entrance qualifications.

Requirements

Prerequisite for enrollment is a completed three-year training as a nurse, a pediatric nurse, a geriatric nurse or a degree in nursing according to the nursing professions act (Pflegeberufegesetz). Equivalent nursing training completed abroad – if necessary together with proof of sufficient German language skills (level C1) – will also be recognized for admission.

Your training performance will be recognized to the extent of 70 ECTS credits.

For admission, you also need a general or subject-specific university entrance qualification or, alternatively, two years of specialized further training in accordance with the DKG (German Hospital Association). If you do not have the formal qualification for university studies, you have the option of initially enrolling for a probational study period. You will be admitted to the probational study period with at least three years of professional experience after completing your professional training (professionally qualified) and a mandatory consultation interview at the KU. You have successfully completed the probational period as soon as you have achieved 50 percent of the required credit points in the first four study semesters. You can then continue and successfully complete your studies.