FINNISH DOCTORAL PROGRAMME IN NURSING SCIENCE: STRATEGY FOR

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1 Accepted 17 April 2008 Updated 1 June 2010 Updated 9 May 2012 FINNISH DOCTORAL PROGRAMME IN NURSING SCIENCE: STRATEGY FOR STARTING POINT FOR THE STRATEGY Doctoral programmes in Finland As a part of graduate school system Finland has a network of 112 doctoral programmes in which Ministry of Education funding is provided for a total of 1,600 PhD students. The doctoral programmes are intended to enhance the overall quality of doctoral education in Finland; to provide a more rigorous structure to doctoral studies; to expedite the writing of doctoral theses; to lower the average age at graduation (today just one-third of all graduating PhDs in Finland are under 30); and to increase international cooperation in the fields of education and research. Furthermore, the doctoral programmes aim to bolster international cooperation as well as researcher mobility and to develop the supervision of the PhD students. Doctoral programme in the field of Nursing Science Nursing science research has positive overall status in Finland (Academy of Finland 2003). It was pointed out that there remains much room for improvement with regard to the focusing of nursing research; the same was true of certain areas of methodology, clinical work and general efficiency. There is also need for stronger national collaboration to create broader research projects and for more international cooperation. Although the volume of international publishing in nursing science is high, it was recommended by the panel of experts that greater effort be invested in publishing in journals with high impact factors. The number of doctoral dissertations is also high, but further steps are needed to ensure the high quality of these dissertations. Another area requiring stronger input is in international research activities and external funding. The report on the state and quality of scientific research in Finland (Academy of Finland 2009) outlines that the strengthening of the is a central objective in the field of nursing science.

2 The was established in It is a national programme that is steered and coordinated ( ) by the Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku in collaboration with five Finnish universities: Eastern Finland, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Åbo Akademi, Vaasa. The Programme s basic systems related to national and international cooperation in education and research have been set up during 2007, and work to develop these systems and to create new innovations and cooperation is ongoing. The provides systematic teaching and supervision for PhD students with a view to advancing their expertise and specialisation and in this way to supporting the completion of their doctoral theses. PhD students apply for positions in the doctoral programme for a period of four, during which time they are expected to complete their doctoral thesis in nursing science. During the current term from 2010 to 2013, there are two full-time PhD students, and seven full-time PhD students during the in the programme. Administration and management The Programme's Academic Board consists of five professors from member universities, one member of public health care services and a coordinator. Board members : Director Helena Leino-Kilpi, professor, University of Turku Vice-Director Päivi Åstedt-Kurki, professor, University of Tampere Member Katie Eriksson, professor, Åbo Akademi Member Arja Isola, professor, University of Oulu Member Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, professor, University of Eastern Finland Expert member Kaarina Torppa, Chief Executive Nursing Director, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa Coordinator Heli Virtanen, MNSc, PhD student The Board is responsible for the overall organization of the doctoral programme, the organisation of the adequate and systematic theoretical education for the PhD students and the monitor of the PhD students' progress. The programme s strategies, 4 year plans and annual plans are drafted by the Board and coordinator, who also follows the s progress and arranges board meetings 4-8 times/year and meetings and symposias with PhD students 2-4 times/year. Coordination The has a coordinator who is charged with developing the programme s activities and promoting collaboration between nursing science and other disciplines. However the main emphasis in the coordinator s job is to promote international collaboration. Another key area is to develop the collaboration between graduate schools and doctoral programmes in Finland and abroad and to develop the structure of the doctoral programme. The has an English language website that is regularly updated.

3 VISION 2015 The is a well-established doctoral programme. By 2015, the Programme will enjoy even broader international recognition for its research and education, and it will rank among the world s leading graduate schools and doctoral programmes in this field. Nationally, the will continue to produce high quality research and education as well as sound nursing evidence for the field of nursing practice, leadership and education. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The school pursues its objectives and vision by means of education and supervision, research, societal interaction and networking. International collaboration and quality assurance systems, including follow-up and feedback systems, are also an integral part of its activities. To achieve its vision for 2015, the has set itself the objectives represented in a following Table 1.

4 Activities Objectives Deliverables Education and supervision Research to educate nationally and internationally recognized researchers in the field of nursing science to produce high quality research in the field of nursing science to promote multidisciplinary research in the nursing field both nationally and internationally to encourage PhD students to continue their research after receiving their doctorate Annual 8-10 international doctoral courses in the field of nursing science for national and international PhD students Annual 2-4 courses in transferable skills for PhD students of the Programme Annual Nordic symposium for PhD students of the Programme and invited Nordic PhD students Recognized experts as teachers and supervisors Completion of doctoral thesis full timely Systematic supervision Systematic research seminars Systematic and goal-oriented national rotation Active national and international collaboration in the research fields of the PhD students Active participation (1-2x/year) in national and international conferences Post doc plan during doctoral studies

5 Societal interaction Academic network in nursing science to exert greater impact in society to strengthen nursing research and to ensure continuity in nursing science to maintain and develop a broad network with national and international and researchers, graduate schools and doctoral programmes Close collaboration between individual researchers, health care and nursing leaders and clinicians Board members activity in nursing director roles Utilization of a special state grant system (EVO) Memberships of national and international science societis Memberships of editorial boards of national and international nursing journals Active collaboration with the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) and other doctoral programmes Active international collaboration with graduate schools and doctoral programmes in nursing science and multidisciplinary Systematic internationality plan of the Programme and PhD students

6 Quality management system Since coordination of the Programme rests with the University of Turku, its activities are guided by the University s general principles of quality assurance (See /policy.html, In addition, each PhD student is expected to follow the guidelines of their host university. The Quality management system is set out in the Handbook of the Finnish Doctoral Programme in Nursing Science administration/260712_handbook.pdf Follow-up and feedback systems are constantly being developed to gain a clearer picture of PhD students studies and progress as well as their views on research seminars and supervision. PhD students research and study plans are first evaluated when they are recruited to PhD position. During their research and education, students are required to report on the progress of their research and studies twice a year, in keeping with the general instructions issued in study guides. In addition, there is a feedback system for PhD students and lecturers concerning doctoral courses. The courses are planned and accepted at Board meetings, which also discuss the feedback received. The scope and level of doctoral courses is evaluated on the basis of feedback received from students and experts. All follow-up and feedback can be provided online using webropol questionnaires. The feedback is collected and summarized by the coordinator, who sends it back to the course leader. Evaluation discussions are also held immediately after the course when students can offer their feedback direct to the course leader. Annual review of the strategy This strategy will be reviewed annually by the Board members based on evaluations of the programme s activities.

7 References used in the strategy: Academy of Finland The report on the state and quality of scientific research in Finland 2009 available Hiltunen K & Pasanen H-M Tulevat tohtorit Jatko-opiskelijoiden kokemukset ja arviot tohtorikoulutuksesta Opetusministeriön julkiasuja 2006:48. Ministry of Education and Culture Tohtoritarve 2020-luvulla. Ennakointia tohtorien työmarkkinoiden ja tutkintotarpeiden pitkän aikavälin kehityksestä available Suomen Akatemia Suomen Akatemia asettaman tutkijakoulutukiryhmän loppuraportti: "Tavoitteeksi laadukas, läpinäkyvä ja ennakoitavat tohtorikoulutus" available Vuorio E, Halinen A, Ylikarjula J Report of the committee on the development of research career. Committee on the development of research career. Reports of the Ministry of Education, Finland 2006:13, Ministry of Education, Helsinki University Press. /2006/tutkijanuratyoryhman_loppuraportti?lang=fi&extra_locale=en forms/ Tutkimuksen kokonaisarviointi Loppuraportti. Turun yliopisto, Turun kauppakorkeakoulu pdf?sequence=4 Research evaluation of the University of Tampere 2004: Panel reports. Research assessment exercise 2007 university of oulu, Evaluation of the Research Activities at Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland, During the Years Korkeakoulujen arviointineuvosto