Nursing

The Degree Programme in Nursing has a long-standing tradition of international exchanges which began with the founding of the Erasmus programme. The Erasmus programme (which stands for European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) was founded in 1987 thanks to the efforts of the European Community. It gives students the opportunity to complete a for-credit study-abroad period on an international campus partnering with the student's home campus. In terms of study-abroad options, the Degree in Nursing currently offers Year III students pre-professional opportunities in the form of an internship. To that end, the University now boasts prestigious European partnerships in Belgium (Brussels and Antwerp), Spain (Tenerife, University of Granada (Campus of Melilla), Santiago de Compostela, Valencia La Fe, Valencia Castello, Madrid, Vigo), Portugal (Portalegre) France (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Poland (Danzig). At some of these campuses, students have the option to work in a hospital or in the community, including hospices or nursing clinics, if available. The Erasmus Plus programme contemplates, in addition to the bilateral agreements, the possibility of two instructors for each Campus to have international mobility. The study-abroad period is three months, with the possibility of earning 20 ECTS, which transfer in as 20 academic credits for the student. In addition to meetings planned each year by the University, thanks to a standing committee for internationalisation made up of students and instructors, at least one meeting per year is planned for returning students to meet and give advice to those heading out on their study abroad. Our experience over the last few years has taught us that these opportunities allow for the exchange of practical information and valuable contacts amongst the students. At the end of the study-abroad period, the standing committee is requested to provide a written report which is shared with outgoing students, and it allows instructors to measure student satisfaction with the international programmes.