A week to learn about nursing from a global perspective

The School of Nursing at the University of Navarra held a new edition of the Nursing Summer School from May 4 to 8, an international program that brought together students and faculty from various universities on the campus to reflect on the current challenges facing the nursing profession from an academic, intercultural, and global perspective.

This year’s event was attended by 52 students and faculty members from the University of Pennsylvania (9), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (5), the University of Stirling (8), the University of Illinois at Chicago (11), and the University of Navarra (19). Over the course of five days, participants shared learning, discussion social spaces focused on some of the main challenges facing nursing today in various healthcare and social contexts.

The academic program combined plenary sessions, hands-on activities, and clinical visits. Among the topics covered were the functioning of the Spanish healthcare system, the role of nursing at different levels of care, clinical leadership, pediatric care, the relationship between health and climate change, the promotion of healthy habits, and end-of-life care from a humanistic perspective. Participants also took part in clinical simulation activities at the Faculty’s Simulation Center and visited the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the University Hospital of Navarra, where they were able to see firsthand different models of internship .

One of the main objectives of the Nursing Summer School is to create an international and intercultural environment that allows students to exchange experiences, compare models of care, and understand the global challenges facing the nursing profession. The program also aims to provide a comprehensive view of care centered on the individual, the family, and the community, while encouraging critical analysis of health care systems and the changes taking place in internship across different countries.

In addition to the training , the program included an extensive cultural program designed to introduce participants to the social, historical, and cultural realities of Navarre. Participants visited Javier Castle and the Royal Palace of Olite. They also toured San Sebastián and enjoyed activities organized by Cultural Activities Office Pamplona. These activities helped strengthen bonds among students of different nationalities and enriched the learning experience beyond the classroom.

In the context of this exchange , Bethany Cosgrove, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, highlighted the balance between academic learning, internship , and cultural experiences that characterized the week. In her words, the stay in Navarra has been “a wonderful experience,” particularly highlighting the quality of work and the combination of training Cultural Activities Office. As she explained, this blend has allowed participants to experience “a balance between learning and enjoyment.”

Cosgrove also added that the program has allowed students to compare different healthcare systems and understand both the differences and similarities in internship at the international level. In his view, this shared experience has fostered collaborative learning that financial aid advance the future of nursing” by highlighting both what distinguishes each system and what unites the profession across different countries.

The week concluded with a closing ceremony and a farewell dinner at the University of Navarra Museum. This marked the end of an edition that once again established the Nursing Summer School as an meeting .

This program is designed to train professionals capable of addressing current and future challenges in the field of care. It takes a comprehensive, innovative, and person-centered approach.