Coordinated by the University of Eastern Finland, the EU-MasterAPN initiative aims to develop a European joint Master’s programme in Advanced Practice Nursing (APN). This initiative seeks to modernise and internationalise teaching practices by pooling resources and integrating methods, thereby strengthening the capacity of higher education institutions to offer innovative transnational education in APN.
The project addresses the need for a unified European-level programme, fostering collaboration and standardisation across borders. The mobility of nurses underscores the necessity of such a programme, which seeks to enhance mutual understanding and communication among nurses, paving the way for standardised roles and practices. It also aims to extend educational opportunities to nurses from countries where APN is still developing.
The team spearheading the project includes Project Coordinator Krista Jokiniemi from the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Eastern Finland, Assistant Professor Daniela Lehwaldt from Dublin City University, Professor Ann Van Hecke from the University of Ghent, and Professor Gísli Kort Kristófersson from the University of Akureyri. The consortium may expand to include more countries and higher education institutions, ensuring an inclusive approach. Collaboration with APN experts and organisational partners will be crucial to align education with practical implementation.
"I am thrilled about our collaboration within the project. Partnering with esteemed APN leaders from various countries allows us to address the inconsistencies in APN education. By fostering dialogue, integrating methods, pooling resources, and modernising teaching practices, we strive to achieve consistency in educational preparation. Our ultimate goal is to determine the feasibility of an EU joint Master’s programme, which would enhance the mobility of advanced practice nurses and inspire similar initiatives globally," Jokiniemi says.
The total funding of the project is 60,000 euros, and the duration is 15 months.
The University of Eastern Finland also coordinates another project funded in the same call, the MENU4MEPBIO project developing a joint Master’s Programme in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.
The Erasmus Mundus Design Measures are projects meant to support higher education institutions (HEIs) that are not yet ready to offer a full Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters but wish to engage in joint programmes and explore the opportunities provided by the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. Additionally, they may involve other educational and non-educational partners with specific expertise and interest in the study area.
For further information, please contact:
Project Coordinator Krista Jokiniemi, krista.jokiniemi@uef.fi
