The Development of Nursing Education. The 90th Anniversary of the University School for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals in Krakow

Introduction. Nursing in Poland started to develop much later than in many other countries. Short period of initial development in 1911–1939 has been followed by almost entire pause period during Second World War time and afterwards almost 20-years period of chaos. Getting over of the difficult period began with the beginning of the 1960’. Today, like never ever in the past, it is developing significantly, both in terms of theory and practice.

The aim of the work. The exhibition of the development of the education of nurses in Poland based on the example of Krakow city.

Material and method. To complete this work analysis of the literature and archival materials have been used.

Results. The Professional Nurses School of the Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul was opened in 1911 in Krakow and operated until 1921. Following a 4-year break, the graduates of the Professional Nurses School put forward and saw through the initiative of opening the University School for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (Hygienists). Although nursing training was removed from the curriculum at the Jagiellonian University in 1950. In 1975 the Faculty of Nursing of the Medical Academy has been established to provide nursing education at an academic level. Several fundamental organisational changes have taken place in the course of the 40 years since nursing education at an academic level was first introduced in Krakow. In 1998 the Faculty of Health Sciences pioneered the education of nurses at an elementary level in the form of a 3-year vocational baccalaureate programme.

Conclusions. Krakow’s academic nursing community haven’t brought to ruing nestors’ contribution into the development of the professional nursing. It has contributed to the development of the scientific nursing.