El Mundo, one of the most prestigious Spanish newspapers, published In its annual ranking of universities for 2013-2014, that the University of Navarra's Degree in Nursing is the most sought-after third-level education program in nursing at private universities in Spain. It is ranked third in the overall list.

According to the newspaper, the Degree in Nursing at the University of Navarra stands out in its field because of the practical training provided, a "Supervised Clinical Practice (Practicum)", which in 2013-2014 involved 845 people (497 professionals and 348 students). This is an individualized teaching program that requires students to acquire knowledge through experience and reflection, to synthesize and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and take care of patients and families in a personalized, comprehensive and science-based way.

Juana María Senosiáin, the professor responsible for the Practicum I, explains that in its development, "the students undertake active and participatory learning that allows them to acquire professional skills through comprehensive and personalized, patient-centered nursing care". In addition, Inmaculada Serrano, Associate Dean of Students at the School of Nursing, says that these practices also "aim to encourage student leadership thanks to the personalized tutoring they receive and their work as part of the nursing team."

Almost 500 professionals to train the future nurses

The Degree in Nursing at the University of Navarra assigns 90 ECTS credits to practical training through the Practicum (84 ECTS) and the Final Year Project (6 ECTS). Practical work is carried out in teaching units that have been accredited as clinical settings where nursing care is provided to the highest scientific and human standards. During the clinical practice rotation in the second year of the degree program, each student joins a nursing team with a reference nurse (tutor) and a mentor, who are part of the teaching team that supports their learning.

497 professionals are involved in the Practicum, including reference nurses, supervisors, mentors, teachers and managers. This multidisciplinary team worked with 348 students during academic year 2013-2014. For this personalized training, the School of Nursing has established partnership agreements with various health centers in the Navarre region, such as the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, the San Miguel Clinic, San Juan de Dios Hospital, the Navarra Health Service (SNS-Osansunbidea); the Father Menni Clinic in Guipúzcoa and various centers for the elderly. Each center has different training units through which students may rotate. In total, the students from the Degree of Nursing have 82 teaching units in which to acquire their training as future professionals.

All this work, says Professor Senosiáin, "is possible thanks to the e-practicum program, a software tool specifically designed for the School of Nursing that facilitates the management and coordination of practical work. It also enables communication among all those involved, and allows us to develop and monitor the student training process as a whole, as well as its evaluation".