Master vocational studies for vocational master nurses represent highly professional education of medical personnel with an emphasis on professional theoretical and practically applicable knowledge.

A modernly designed curriculum, highly professional and renowned teaching staff, with extensive clinical experience, as well as renowned teaching bases, guarantee optimal education of highly professional medical staff. The content of the study program covers all areas important for the education and work of the future master vocational nurse for certain areas of healthcare. The program is harmonized with similar study programs in the surrounding countries and Europe. The teaching methods are modernized with video presentations, demonstrations and full practice of the necessary skills, discussion groups, public classes, elements of research methodology in nursing, work on computers, informatics and statistics, mentoring of each student and, finally, the creation of a final master's thesis. The student completes his studies by preparing and defending a master's thesis in one of the professional-applied subjects.

The essence of this study program is theoretical and practical education for master vocational nurses who need to acquire the skills that are applied in modern forms of healthcare for patients, to master the handling of modern electronic devices for monitoring patients' vital parameters 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 following principles, defined by the Law on High Education of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Bologna Declaration:

• Students are graded from 5 to 10,on the basis of 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 (12) and optional (4). From the list of elective courses, the student chooses two elective courses during his studies.
• Master vocational studies last two years (four semesters).
• Each course is taught in one semester.
• The study program has a total of 16 courses, of which the student takes 14, while completing 240 hours of clinical professional practice and defending the master’s thesis.
• In the first year of study, the student has seven courses and clinical professional practice.
• In the second year of study, the student has five courses (three compulsory courses and two optional courses), clinical professional practice, the course of the final master's thesis and the master's thesis.
• The student is burdened with active teaching for up to 24 classes, during one working week.
• The European system of transfer of points (credits) - ECTS is applied.
• Master vocational studies have a total of 120 ECTS.
• The total number of ECTS for each course, which is achieved by the student, is based on the degree of fulfillment of pre-exam and exam obligations.

Continuous monitoring and analysis of study success is ensured. It is based on measures  to be taken in order to improve the education process and study success.

The study program of the master vocational studies in healthcare has a clearly defined purpose and role in the educational system because it enables the education of highly professional staff with a wide range of knowledge and skills in the field of healthcare. The study program of the master vocational studies in healthcare has a clearly defined purpose and role in health care and responds to the growing needs for health personnel who are highly professionally trained for modern patient care and the application of modern technology in the care process, as well as in patient monitoring, diagnosis and therapy. A highly educated master vocational nurse should acquire the basic knowledge and skills required for organization and management in certain sectors within health institutions (outpatient clinics, dispensaries, hospitals, clinics, etc.).

The master's program of vocational studies in the field of healthcare will provide additional general and specific skills focused on improving knowledge about health prevention, the importance of quality of life in relation to health, as well as a holistic and multidisciplinary approach in planning, organization, supervision, quality control and evaluation of the services provided to users.

 

The purpose of the study program:

1. Raising the level of professional competencies of master vocational nurses: a highly educated master vocational nurse must, after finishing the master's vocational studies, be qualified for real, daily practical work with patients in the process of nursing care, i.e. to fully master the professional skills, optimal and efficient procedures, methods and techniques of care for patients who need additional health care and protection. These knowledge and skills will enable master vocational nurses to work in healthcare, but also prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sick children, adults and old people in healthcare, and in addition to work in the sectors of social protection, education, etc.
2. Alignment of education with the real needs of society and the healthcare system. Master 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 master vocational nurses of 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 master vocational nurse must acquire the basic knowledge and skills required for work organization and management in certain sectors within health institutions.
5. The process of professional education at the High Medical College of Professional Studies "Milutin Milankovic", along with constant innovation of curricula and the introduction of new knowledge and skills, also implies a nurturing attitude towards the development of humane and ethical principles of work in the health profession, in accordance with all accepted international ethical codes.

 

The aims of the study program are:

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

 

Competences of master vocational nurses imply to:

• apply advanced theoretical and practical professional knowledge and set and apply healthcare standards in all specialist branches of medicine independently or in a team,
• accurately apply diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
• 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,
• work on disease prevention and health promotion and preservation,
• successfully communicate with patients to whom they provide basic psychological support, and communicate with patients' families and members of the medical team,
• use information technologies and resources,
• organize, control and train others to work,
• 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,
• plan and maintain health documentation and evaluate the healthcare process,
• follow and adopt novelties in this field, constantly working on their practice.

Learning outcomes include, among other things, performing various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and techniques within healthcare, handling all devices necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, using information technologies, managing the care process, keeping documentation, conducting health education work, etc.

Graduated students are trained to work on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in adequate health institutions (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 prepare for further professional development.

 

Curriculum Structure:

Number	Code	Course	Sem.	Active Teaching					Other	ECTS	Obligatory/ Elective О/E	Course Type
				П	В	ДОН	СИР/ПИР
FIRST YEAR
1.	МСС001	Homeostatic Systems	I	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
2.	МСС003	Communication Skills in the Healthcare Team	I	45	45	0		0	105	7	О	Academic General Eeducation Course
3.	МСС007	Health-related Quality of Life	I	45	45	0		0	105	7	О	Academic General Eeducation Course
4.	МСС010	Nursing Procedures in Health Care in Internal Medicine	I	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
5.	МСС005	Disruption of Homeostasis	II	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
6.	МСС011	Nursing Procedures in Health Care in Surgery	II	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
7.	МСС025	Multidisciplinary Intensive Care	II	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
8.	МСС004	Clinical Professional Practice 1	II	0	0	0		0	120	8	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
Total number of classes				330	330	0			900	60
Total number of active teaching per year				630					900	60
SECOND YEAR
9.	МСС009	Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Nursing	III	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
10.	МСС012	Nursing Procedures of Health Care in Perioperative Medicine	III	75	75	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
11.	МСС002	Evidence-based Health Care	III	45	45	0		0	90	6	О	Professionally Applied Course
12.	МСС008	Clinical Professional Practice 2	III	0	0	0		0	120	8	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
13.	МСС006	Elective course: Prevention and Promotion of Mental Health	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
13.	МСС020	Elective course: Psychomotor Development of the Child and Stimulation of Development	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
14.	МСС021	Elective course:Psychology of Interpersonal Relations	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
14.	МСС022	Elective course: Rational Pharmacotherapy	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
15.	МСС023	The Course of the Master’s Thesis	IV	0	0	0		180	0	12	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
16.	МСС024	Master’s Thesis	IV	0	0	0		0	150	10	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
Total number of classes				210	210	180			720	60
Total number of classes of active teaching per year				600					720	60
Total number of classes of  active teaching, other classes and ECTS for both years				1230					1620	120

 

Courses		Teachers