Department of Nursing Science

Department's Strategy for 2021-2030

Learn more about the Department of Nursing Science

News

Professor Sirkka Lauri in memoriam

6.3.2023

Professor Sirkka Lauri

The first professor in nursing science in the University of Turku, PhD Sirkka Lauri passed away in January 2023.

She was a pioneer in nursing science in Finland. She was appointed as the first professor in nursing science in the University of Kuopio (current University of Eastern Finland) in 1986. University of Kuopio had started the academic nursing education as the first in the country in 1979. In 1988, Sirkka Lauri moved to the University of Turku, where she worked as pioneer for education and research and Head of the Department of Nursing Science until the retirement, 2002.

Professor Lauri had large international networks, in USA, Canada, Europe and Nordic countries. Her research was in the field of decision-making, where she created both theory and evaluation. She also was part of the very early discussions about the European PhD-education, and was establishing the Finnish national doctoral education in nursing science. She was founding member in the establishment of Finnish Association of Nursing Research and was the first editor of the Finnish Journal of Nursing Science, Hoitotiede. Thus, professor Lauri had a large contribution to nursing science both in Finland and internationally.

Professor Lauri created the basis for education and research in nursing science, connections with health care organisations and large international networks in the University of Turku, Finland. Based on these, we have then been able to build the current, international position of the Department and starting points for future.

We respect the lifework of professor Lauri.

Faculty of the Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku.

Professor Maritta Välimäki received the Chinese Government Friendship Award

7.10.2022

Professor Maritta Välimäki has received the Chinese Government Friendship Award at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing China on 30 September 2022.

The Friendship Award is the People's Republic of China's highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the country. In 2022, the Friendship Award were awarded to 49 foreign experts, and 12 of them joined in a grand ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

Professor Välimäki has had extensive collaboration with China since 2013. She was first invited to join conferences in mainland China. Later in 2015 she visited in Hong Kong for 1,5 months. In 2016, she started to work in Hong Kong. Later in 2019, Professor Välimäki was invited as a Visiting Professor professor at Central South University and in 2020 she was appointed as Professor at the same university, at the Xiangya School of Nursing.

Congratulations Professor Välimäki!

» Read more

New Vice Head appointed for the Department of Nursing Science

10.8.2022

New Vice Head appointed for the Department of Nursing Science

The Head of Department of Nursing Science Anna Axelin appointed professor Mari Kangasniemi as the new Vice Head of the department. Anna Axelin began her term as the Head of the department 1 August.

Warmest congratulations on the appointment!

The Department of Nursing Science was ranked the best in Finland in Nursing in Shanghai Ranking 2022

^1.8.2022

The Department of Nursing Science was ranked the best in Finland in Nursing in Shanghai Ranking 2022

The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 published by the Shanghai Ranking ranked altogether 5 000 universities in 54 subjects. Of these,1800 universities received a ranking. Altogether 54 subjects in natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medicine, and social sciences were evaluated.

Overall The University of Turku was listed among the best universities in altogether 24 of the 54 subjects. In Nursing the overall ranking was 51–75. Besides Nursing, the best ranking were also in Food Science & Technology (ranking 51–75) and Medical Technology (ranking 101-150).

The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 took into consideration the quality of research, international collaboration, top research, and esteemed academic recognitions. The ranking has been published by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy since 2009.

» Read more

Excellent rank again for the University of Turku Department of Nursing Science in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject

11.4.2022

Nursing Science was the highest ranked discipline of the University of Turku in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject

The QS World University Rankings by Subject ranks the world’s best universities in 51 different disciplines.

Five components are used to rank universities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022:

Academic reputation
Employer reputation
Research citations per paper
H-index
International Research Network (by broad-faculty area)

Department of Nursing Science improved it's rank from the last year and was now ranked:

TOP #1 within Finland

TOP #6 within Europe

TOP #28 worldwide

» The highest ranked discipline of the University of Turku was nursing science
» QS World University Rankings by Subject: Nursing 202 2

Upcpoming events

Dissertation defences

In Finland, all PhD dissertations are defended in public events. Dissertations can be found from the Open Institutional Repository of the University of Turku (UTUPub).

2022

19.8.2022 MNSc Leena Uronen
”PSYKOSOSIAALISTEN RISKITEKIJÖIDEN KIRJAAMINEN TYÖTERVEYSHUOLLON TERVEYSTARKASTUKSISSA Koneoppimisen mahdollisuuksia automaattiseen tekstintunnistukseen”
12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360 live stream.
Esteemed opponent: Professor Tarja Kvist (University of Eastern Finland)
Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)
Languge of the event: Finnish
4.2.2022 MNSc Laura Laukkanen
"The construct of the ethical activity profile of nurse managers – effectiveness of the Ethics Quarter e-learning intervention”
12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina D, Laurén 2, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku
You can also follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: Professor Arja Häggman-Laitila (University of Eastern Finland)
Custos: Professor Helena Leino-Kilpi (University of Turku)
Languge of the event: Finnish

2021

12.12.2021 MNSc Pihla Markkanen
"Supporting pupils’ mental health in schools. Teaching staff’s and school nurses’ perceptions and the suitability of a web-based support system for pupils”
12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina D, Alhopuro auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku
You can also follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: Professor Terhi Saaranen (University of Eastern Finland)
Custos: Professor Maritta Välimäki (University of Turku)
Languge of the event Finnish
3.12.2021 MNSc Jaana Koskenniemi
”Respect in nursing care as perceived by older patients"
12-16 University of Turku, Publicum, Pub 1 -lecture hall, Assistentinkatu 7
You can also Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: Professor Emeritus Anna-Maija Pietilä (University of Eastern Finland)
Custos: Professor Riitta Suhonen (University of Turku)
Language of the event: Finnish
22.10.2021 MNSc Kirsi Hipp
”Patient participation in pro re nata medication in forensic psychiatric inpatient care”
12-16 follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: Docent Raija Kontio (Helsinki University Central Hospital)
Custos: Docent Mari Kangasniemi (University of Turku)
Language of the event: Finnish
15.10.2021 MNSc Maria Pulkkinen
”A NEW PRACTICE MODEL TO ORGANIZE PERIOPERATIVE NURSING CARE”
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Merja Miettinen, Kuopio University Hospital
Custos: docent Kristiina Junttila
Language of the event: Finnish
17.9.2021 MSc Yunsuk Jeon
”Competence assessment in Anaesthesia Nursing Care”
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Ulrica Nilsson, Karolinska Universitetet, Sweden
Custos: professor Helena Leino-Kilpi, University of Turku
Language of the event: English
11.6.2021 MNSc Mika Alastalo
"Patient observation skills in critical care nursing – A Theoretical construction and evaluation"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Hannele Turunen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos: professor Helena Leino-Kilpi, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
4.6.2021 MNSc Jonna Vierula
"The assessment of reasoning skills in nursing student selection – Test development and psychometric testing"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos: professor Elina Haavisto, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
26.3.2021 MNSc Anna Laine
”Evaluation of web-based psychoeducation interventions related to schizophrenia spectrum disorders”
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Arja Häggman-Laitila, University of Eastern Finland
Custos: professor Maritta Välimäki, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
12.3.2021 MSoc Maria Ameel
”Applicability of the nursing interventions classification in the psychiatric outpatient care setting"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professori Kaija Saranto, University of Eastern Finland
Custos: docent Kristiina Junttila, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
29.1.2021 MNSc Emilia Kielo-Viljamaa
"The Wound Care Competence of Graduating Student Nurses – Development and Testing of a Competence Assessment Instrument"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Eija Paavilainen, University of Tampere
Custos: docent Minna Stolt, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
22.1.2021 MNSc Eriikka Siirala
"Päivittäinen johtaminen lähiesimiehen työssä leikkaus- ja anestesiaosastolla"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: docent Paula Asikainen, University of Tampere
Custos: docent Kristiina Junttila, University of Turku
Language of the event: Finnish
22.1.2021 MNSc Mirka Toivonen
"Kohti perhekeskeistä hoitamista vastasyntyneiden teho-osastoilla: Hoitokulttuurin ja osastoarkkitehtuurin muutos"
12:00 - 16:00 Follow via Zoom
Esteemed opponent: professor Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos: associate professor Anna Axelin
Language of the event: Finnish

Courses

Clinical Instruments for Evaluating Health - Development, Evaluation and Implementation CIDI, 25 ECTS
Next course in 2 January - 5 May 2023
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Empowering Patient Education EPE, 25 ECTS
Next course in 4 September - 13 December 2023
Registration deadline: 15 August 2023 via Webropol
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Empowering learning environments in nursing education Intensive Programme EleneIP, 10 ECTS
Next course in 23 - 27 October 2023
Registration deadline: 11 September 2023 via Webropol
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Conferences, Scientific Symposia and Events

2022

10 Feb 2022 RENE Symposium
Symposium organised by the Research in Nursing Education (RENE) research group in cooperation with its partners. Symposium aim is to discuss nurse and health care education research and to promote networking of the researcher in the field and cooperation in Finland.
Venue: Zoom
Conference language is Finnish.
More information available on symposium site.
8-9 Dec 2022 New Horizons for Postdoctoral Researchers in Nursing Science
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku organizes the first international symposium for postdoctoral researchers.
Venue: Symposium is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
Conference language is English.
More information available on symposium site.

2021

19-20 May 2021 The 8th SCENE Symposium
Symposium is organised by the Separation and Closeness Experiences in the Neonatal Environment (SCENE) group to share the new research findings related to closeness in the neonatal environment and to start collaborating in research projects aiming to improve care culture and increase infant-parent-family closeness.
Venue: hybrid event online & on site in Tallinn, Estonia
Registration deadline: 12 May 2021 via Konsta
Conference language is English.
More information available on symposium site.
9 Nov 2021 Nursing Science Symposium III of Southwest Finland
Online symposium with theme "Clinical career model and leading it" in collaboration with several other organisations and associations in the region.
Conference language is Finnish.
More information available on the Symposium poster (pdf).

Theme days

Department of Nursing Science organizes several thematic days annually. Theme days are free of charge and open to all. Most of the theme days are only in Finnish.

2023