About the Future of the Nursing Profession: Conference at WUM

Published:
A person standing at a lectern in a conference room holds a microphone in one hand and a document in the other. In the background, there is a projection screen and a lectern with the university emblem.
We have just concluded the conference entitled “Our Nurses. Our Future. Authorized Nurses Save Lives”. The meeting was dominated by topics related to the changes taking place in the nursing profession. Speakers highlighted the growing autonomy of nurses and their increasingly important role within therapeutic teams.

This nationwide event was co-organized by the Medical University of Warsaw (WUM). It was chaired by Dr. Hab. Łukasz Czyżewski, Vice Dean for Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences (WNoZ), and Dr. Zofia Sienkiewicz from the Department of Nursing Development, Social Sciences, and Medical Sciences at WNoZ. The authorities of WUM were represented by its Rector, Prof. Rafał Krenke.

“Our Nurses. Our Future” is a global campaign initiated by the International Council of Nurses and the Supreme Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Poland,” said Prof. Krenke. “Its goal is to is to draw attention to the crucial role nurses play in the healthcare system and to improve their working conditions, education, and professional development. WUM contributes to setting standards for nursing education. Each year, around 400 future nurses begin undergraduate studies at our university, and more than 100 students enroll in master’s programs. Nursing remains a highly popular field of study, largely because of its noble mission and increasingly improving working conditions.”

The Rector also noted that the Ministry of Health has presented a draft amendment to the Act on the Professions of Nurse and Midwife. The proposal introduces a mandatory professional development points system aimed at improving the quality of postgraduate education and unification of regulations already applied in other medical professions. The draft legislation also help clarify competency levels, distinguishing between general, qualified, and clinical nurses.

In addition, nurses’ professional authority is expected to expand further to include certifying deaths in long-term care settings and issuing sick leave certificates for up to five days.

“All of this undoubtedly raises the status of the profession, but it also brings additional responsibilities,” the Rector emphasized.

Cancer Prevention as the Topic of the Inaugural Lecture

The inaugural lecture, “The Role of Nurses in the Prevention of Malignant Cancers,” was delivered by Prof. Andrzej Deptała, Head of the Department of Introductory Oncology. He outlined the scale of the problem.

“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Poland. In 2023, more than 190,000 new cases were registered. Importantly, over 70% of malignant cancers are linked to harmful habits and inadequate lifestyles.”

Prof. Deptała discussed the most significant carcinogens. He also spoke about  genetic testing and screening programs, which can either help prevent cancer or detect it early enough so that it is curable.

Following the lecture, diplomas were awarded to students who participated in the 16th Janina Fetlińska Nursing Olympiad

From AI to Emergency Department Work: Lecture Session

The lecture session featured six presentations. Their authors were highly experienced specialists with vast achievements, students, doctoral candidates, and practicing professionals. Prof. Joanna Gotlib-Małkowska, Head of the Department of Education and Research in Health Sciences at WNoZ, discussed the use of artificial intelligence in nursing, presenting numerous interesting and surprising examples. Dr. Grażyna Wójcik, President of the Main Board of the Polish Nursing Society, delivered a lecture entitled “Advanced Nursing Practice – A Competency, Systemic, and Cultural Transformation.” Dr. Karolina Prasek from the Department of Nursing Propedeutics at WNoZ addressed the topic of nurses’ professional autonomy within the healthcare system, stressing that  autonomy begins in the mind, not in regulations.

In the student session, the presentations covered varied topics related to nursing practice. Ewa Perzyna, Anna Grzywacz, and  Anna Pszenny (work supervisor) from the Warsaw Medical and Technical Academy of Applied Sciences presented “The Nurse as a Transplant Coordinator.”  Piotr Adamczyk, a nursing student at WUM’s Faculty of Health Sciences, delivered a presentation titled: “Multimorbidity and Population Aging as Challenges for Nursing Care – A Coordinated Care Model.” The final speaker was Marlena Reptowska, also a nursing student at WNoZ WUM. She discussed working in a pediatric emergency department (SOR) and draw attention to unique communication with children.

The conference took place on May 27 at WUM’s Didactic Center. Among the conference guests were Dr. Barbara Mazurkiewicz, Vice Chair of the Warsaw Regional Council of Nurses and Midwives; Dr. Grażyna Wójcik, President of the Main Board of the Polish Nursing Society; Dr. Hab. Wiesław Fidecki, University Professor; and Prof. Tomasz Plech, both professors from the Medical University of Lublin.

Two people stand next to each other in a conference room. One person holds a microphone and gestures with a hand, while the other holds a document and looks in that direction. In the background, there is a wooden wall and a table with documents and bottles of water.
A row of people sits in red seats in a lecture hall. Some individuals hold documents and folders on their laps, and all are facing the stage or lectern.
A lecture hall with rows of red seats filled with people sitting and taking notes. Some individuals hold phones or pens, and framed portraits hang on the wall.
A person stands at a lectern labeled “Veritatis Splendor” and speaks into microphones placed on the podium. In the background, there is a projection screen and a banner of the Medical University of Warsaw.
People sit in red seats in a lecture hall and listen to a presentation. Some individuals hold phones or notes, and all are facing the stage.
A person stands at a lectern labeled “Veritatis Splendor” and speaks into microphones mounted on the podium. In the background, there is a projection screen displaying a presentation with text, including the name “Andrzej Deptala.”
A person stands at a lectern labeled “Veritatis Splendor” and speaks into two microphones placed on the podium. In the background, there is a projection screen and a blue university banner.