Together with Johann Fischer, programme coordinator at the AOB, the group was warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr Wissing and her colleague Amelie Hörer, a lecturer with special responsibilities. The two gave the visitors a comprehensive insight into the nursing profession, addressing both its distinctive features and current challenges.
The information afternoon was divided into two parts. During the first hour, Prof. Dr Wissing gave a clear and informative presentation explaining the legal and organisational framework of the nursing profession. Among other things, she addressed questions such as: What tasks does a nursing professional undertake? Why are the formerly common job titles ‘nurse’ and ‘male nurse’ no longer used today? And how do traditional nursing training programmes differ from a dual nursing degree programme?
It was precisely the complex legal framework and its frequent changes that prompted numerous questions from the visitors. Thanks to her many years of professional experience, including as a paediatric nurse, Prof. Dr Wissing was also able to convey a very practical picture of the nursing profession. She highlighted just how varied the duties of a nursing professional are. Nursing professionals support people through different stages of life and illness – from prevention and health promotion, through care during illness, to palliative care.
In the second part of the afternoon, the guests were given a guided tour of the skills and simulation laboratory in small groups. There, nursing students can apply their theoretical knowledge before their compulsory clinical placements and further develop their practical professional skills in specially equipped training rooms. The rooms are modelled on real hospital and care settings and feature, amongst other things, lifelike simulation manikins on which various nursing and medical procedures can be practised.
Prof. Dr Wissing used an infant manikin to demonstrate what nursing staff must pay particular attention to when caring for infants. Ms Hörer then worked with a member of the delegation to show how an immobile person can be moved out of bed professionally and in a way that is as gentle on the back as possible.
Thanks to Prof. Dr Wissing and Ms Hörer, the AOB delegation gained a practical and realistic insight into the day-to-day work of nursing staff, as well as into the modern training of future nursing staff at OTH Regensburg.
