In order to honour Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) designated her birthday on May 12 as "International Nurses Day".
The theme for this year's Nurses Day in China is "Developing the Nursing Workforce and Improving Nursing Services". The nursing programme at the Open University of China (OUC) considers safeguarding people's health as its fundamental mission, offering professional support to strengthen and stabilize the nursing workforce. Nursing plays a vital role within China's medical and healthcare system, with the nursing workforce being instrumental in advancing medical reforms, providing high-quality healthcare services, and realizing the goals of the "Healthy China 2030" strategic plan. To meet the significant demand for nursing professionals, the OUC offers nursing programmes at three levels: diploma, diploma to bachelor's degree, and high school to bachelor's degree. In 1994, the university introduced a diploma nursing programme, which has since enrolled a total of 206,100 students and produced 172,300 graduates by the end of 2022. Currently, there are 15,000 active students. The OUC initiated a diploma-to-bachelor's degree programme in nursing in 2009 and a high school-to-bachelor's degree programme in 2020. By the end of 2022, these two bachelor's programmes had enrolled a total of 142,400 students, with 105,400 graduates. Currently, there are 27,500 active students. Across the country, nearly 30 branches and colleges offer nursing as a major, focusing on training professionals in clinical nursing, community nursing, and medical and elderly care.
To better meet the learning and professional development needs of working nurses, the nursing programme at the OUC emphasizes the essential task of fostering virtue through education. In line with state and industry policies, the programme prioritizes renowned and esteemed lecturers, values practical teaching approaches, and continuously refines talent development plans, adjusts curriculum structures, and enhances course content. The programme collaborates with experts and scholars from top universities such as Peking University, Capital Medical University, and Fudan University, as well as renowned clinical experts from prestigious Grade A tertiary hospitals. Together, they carefully design and create a range of multimedia teaching resources tailored for working nurses, including textbooks, videos, online courses, micro-courses, and digital materials. The programme also regularly invites frontline experts and professors from leading universities, research institutions, medical facilities, and the industry to deliver specialized lectures, enabling students to gain insights into the current state and future trends of the nursing profession. Emphasis is placed on enhancing students' comprehensive practical skills, and two nursing case competitions have been successfully conducted by the OUC.
Over the course of nearly 30 years since its initial launch, the nursing major has developed a comprehensive set of professional construction norms and a robust teaching process system. Thanks to a well-established education system that ensures high-quality instruction, a significant number of skilled nursing professionals have been nurtured. This accomplishment is attributed to the creation of a wealth of excellent teaching resources and the formation of a team of highly qualified instructors. Noteworthy educational and teaching outcomes have been attained.
As of the end of 2022, approximately 348,500 students have been enrolled in nursing programmes at the diploma and bachelor's levels, with 277,700 graduates. One course has been recognized as a national exemplar for resource sharing, while another course has been selected by the Ministry of Education as a model for ideological and political education. Additionally, one course has been designated as an exceptional online open course by the Open University of China (OUC). Furthermore, one textbook has received the esteemed First National Excellent Textbook Award in the field of Vocational Education and Continuing Education. Another textbook has been designated as an exemplary textbook by Beijing Higher Education, and one teaching material has been included in the Recommended Catalogue of Key Publications for the 2022 Village Libraries.
Furthermore, these programmes have established a distinguished demonstration team for ideological and political education, as selected by the Ministry of Education. Moreover, they have cultivated two esteemed instructors of ideological and political courses, recognized by the Ministry of Education, along with one young prestigious teacher from universities in Beijing, one prestigious teacher from the OUC, and one excellent teacher from the OUC.
Over the course of nearly 30 years of exploration and practical experience, the nursing programmes offered by the Open University of China (OUC) have provided numerous opportunities for on-the-job nurses, particularly those working in grassroots health and medical institutions, to acquire academic qualifications and enhance their skills. Simultaneously, these programmes have also served as avenues for them to gain insights into the cutting edge of the discipline and broaden their perspectives. Through tangible actions, they have made significant contributions within their respective work domains and demonstrated the noble spirit of valuing life, saving lives, and being ever prepared to selflessly dedicate themselves with boundless compassion.
by OUC News Network