Basic vocational studies for vocational nurses represent highly professional education of medical personnel aimed primarily at acquiring knowledge applicable in practice, through the implementation of theoretical and practical classes. Carefully designed curriculum, highly professional teaching staff with extensive clinical experience, as well as renowned teaching bases, guarantee adequate education of highly professional medical staff. The content of the study program includes all areas important for the education and work of the future vocational nurse in a wide range of health care fields. The program is harmonized and even improved in relation to similar study programs in the surrounding countries and Europe.

Teaching methods are modernized through video presentations, demonstrations and skill training, discussion groups, public classes, methodological research in nursing, work on computers, informatics and statistics, mentoring of each student and finally through the preparation of the final paper. The essence of this study program is theoretical and practical education for vocational nurses who need to acquire the skills that are applied in modern forms of health care for patients, to master the handling of modern electronic devices for monitoring vital parameters of patients and the basics of using computerized devices in modern diagnostics and therapy, as well as the principles of preparation and monitoring of the application of appropriate care and treatment procedures. The program is structured in accordance with the principles defined by the Law on Higher Education of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Bologna Declaration:

• Basic vocational studies last three years (six semesters).
• Each course is taught in one semester
• The study program has a total of 42 subjects, of which the student takes 37, along with completing 1225 hours of clinical professional practice and conducting applied research paper through the subject of the final paper and the defense of the final paper.
• In the first year of study, the student has 13 courses (11 compulsory courses and 2  elective courses) and clinical professional practice.
• In the second year of study, the student has 14 courses (12 compulsory courses and 2 elective courses) and clinical professional practice.
• In the third year, the student has 10 courses (8 compulsory courses and 2 elective courses), clinical professional practice, the course of the final paper and the final paper.
• The student is burdened with active teaching of up to 22 classes, during one working week.
• The European point (credit) transfer system - ECTS - is applied.
• Basic vocational studies have a total of 180 ECTS.
• The total number of ECTS, for each course, is achieved by the student based on the degree of fulfillment of pre-exam and exam obligations.
• Students are graded from 5 to 10, based on the European scale, which is the same for all European countries that belong to the European Educational Area.
• All courses provided by the curriculum are divided into compulsory (31) and optional (6). The study program consists of six elective sections, of which five sections with two elective courses for  students to choose, and one elective block with three elective courses from which the student chooses one. From the list of elective courses, the student chooses a total of six elective courses during his studies.

Continuous monitoring and analysis of study success is ensured, based on which measures are taken to improve the education process and study success.

The purpose of the study program is:

1. Raising the level of professional competence of nurses: a highly educated vocational nurse must, after completing basic vocational studies, be qualified for daily practical work with patients in the process of nursing care, i.e. to fully master nursing skills, optimal and efficient procedures, methods and techniques of patient care at all levels, depending on the patient's condition.These knowledge and skills will enable them to work in the field of prevention, primary, secondary and tertiary health care for sick children, adults and the elderly, as well as enable them to work in the field of social protection and education.

2. Alignment of education with the real needs of society and the health care system. Vocational nurses will contribute to the development of the health system in the Republic of Serbia with their professional work.
3. Harmonizing the education of nurses in the Republic of Serbia with the education of nurses in Europe and enabling the transfer of acquired credits.
4. Introducing the quality system in education within the framework of international standards. A highly educated vocational nurse must also acquire basic knowledge and skills for organization and leadership in health institutions.
5. The process of professional education at the High Medical College of Professional Studies "Milutin Milanković", with the constant implementation of innovations in the field of health care in curricula and the permanent introduction of new knowledge and skills, nurtures and develops humane and ethical principles of work in the health profession.

Objectives of the study program:

1. To provide vocational nurses with the maximum of modern theoretical knowledge from nursing, medicine and related areas, necessary for effective work in the health care of patients and other clients who are looking for additional health care and protection.
2. To provide vocational nurses with the opportunity to optimally master and practice skills, i.e. procedures, methods and techniques, necessary for the process of modern health care of patients in various fields of medicine.
3. To provide vocational nurses, as part of state-of-the-art education and mentoring, elements of control, monitoring and research in the health care process of different populations of patients and clients, which would be the basis for further improvement of the health care process based on modern IT and statistical analysis.
4. To provide vocational nurses, in addition to modern theoretical knowledge and practice and acquisition of practical skills in the health care process, with sufficient general and supplementary education through optional courses and educational courses and seminars.
5. That the complete process of education of vocational nurses is realized through respect for the principles of humanity, dedication and ethics, which represent the basis of quality work of health workers and associates.

Competences of graduate students

The study program, Vocational Nurse, is designed to enable students to acquire general and course-specific competencies. This study program will enable students to acquire general competencies:

• to work on disease prevention and promotion and preservation of physical and mental health in adequate health institutions, special institutions and centers, as well as as part of home treatment,
• to apply advanced theoretical and practical professional knowledge, as well as to set and apply health care standards in all specialist branches of medicine independently or in a team,
• to accurately apply diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
• and think critically and solve complex and unpredictable problems, using all the medical equipment and devices necessary for work, while respecting the ethical standards of the profession and the law,
• to use modern information technologies in health care,
• to carry out health-educational work and health care based on evidence,
• to communicate successfully within the healthcare team, with patients to whom they provide basic psychological support and with patients' families,
• to lead teamwork, accept and take into account constructive criticism and comments and successfully develop interpersonal relationships in the work environment,
• to plan and carry out research in the field of nursing, process data with the help of statistical procedures and publish research papers to the wider professional public,
• to plan and maintain health documentation and evaluate the health care process,
• to monitor and adopt new developments in this field, working constantly on improving their practice;

In addition to the above-mentioned general ones, Vocational Nurse study program, will enable graduates to acquire the following subject-specific competencies:

• to perform various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and techniques within health care and to handle all devices necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
• to apply knowledge about complex pathophysiological processes, i.e. disorders of regulatory mechanisms from the molecular level to the organism as a whole in making decisions in everyday clinical practice,
• to apply in practical work the acquired knowledge about the possibilities of assessment and improvement of the quality of life of patients in accordance with the modern biopsychosocial approach in health work,
• to know basic theoretical professional knowledge from various medical fields,
• to apply advanced theoretical and practical professional knowledge of nursing procedures in internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, neurology, psychiatry, infectious diseases, rehabilitation, pediatrics, primary health care, oncology, intensive care, geriatrics and palliative care of patients.

The learning outcomes are aligned with the national qualification framework. They are directly related to the competencies of graduated students and include the performance of various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and techniques within health care, the handling of all devices necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, the use of information technologies, management of the care process and document management, implementation of health education work, etc.

Graduated students are trained to work in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in health care institutions of different types (hospital and clinical departments, dispensaries and clinics) and special institutions and centers as well as in home treatment (outpatient conditions).

We expect students who complete this program to increase their professional and creative efficiency, as well as to continue training at higher levels of education.

Structure of the study program: