In response to a global trend of increasing complexity within the health care system, nursing educators throughout the world developed clinical specialization programs. These programs initially were clinically-oriented and aimed to train practitioners a specific clinical specialization, such as dialysis or midwifery. These programs were not academic in nature and were often offered via hospitals and/or ministries of health. More recently, nurse educators have become convinced that the best preparation for specialized or advanced clinical practice must be within an academic framework, preferably at the Masters (MA) degree level.
A similar trend is happening in Israel. Presently, most advanced clinical nursing training takes place within the framework of courses sponsored by various hospitals and the Ministry of Health. Several Master degree programs in Israel offer advanced academic training but do not incorporate clinical practice within the academic framework.
The Hadassah - Hebrew University Advanced Practice Nursing Master Program is unique in that it is the only Master program in Israel where nursing students can integrate both clinical and theoretical components within an academic structure.
The primary objective of the Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Master degree program is to train registered nurses how to function in advanced practice nursing roles within the Israeli health care system. It is composed of both theoretical and clinical components, which are necessary for coping with the professional challenges of the current health care system.
Program Structure:
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8 core courses, which provide the theoretical and clinical basis for advanced nursing practice
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3-4 clinical specialty courses (in one of three specialty areas: Oncology, Gerontology/Geriatric, Care of the Complicated Patient or Acute/Critical Care Nursing)
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a thesis seminar
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a thesis research project (developing and conducting a clinical nursing research study)
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a final qualifying exam
Clinical Specialty Tracks
Geriatric/Gerontology Nursing:
The development of the Geriatric/Gerontology clinical track was necessitated by the disparity between the health care needs of an aging Israeli population and the available health care system. The role of the geriatric APN is to act as a central and vital resource for the promotion of geriatric health.
Graduates of the geriatric track work as expert advanced practice nurses in various settings. The Geriatric Advanced Practice Nurse is expected to exhibit a high level of professionalism, demonstrate knowledge of the bio-psycho-social processes associated with the elderly and their environment, develop and supervise new health care initiatives, and fill vital roles in the changing health care system.
Oncology Nursing:
The Oncology Advanced Practice Nursing Track was developed as a response to the growing incidence of cancer morbidity and mortality among the Israeli population. The complex nature of the health care needs of oncology patients and their families require professional nursing care which is both highly professional and highly skilled. Due to the development of oncology treatment, many patients are best treated by the Advanced Practice Nurse.
An oncology advanced practice nurse has a thorough theoretical base and clinical expertise in the areas of health promotion, primary prevention, acute and chronic care and terminal care. The nurse also has the ability to make independent clinical decisions, provide and supervise care, guidance and support to patients, their families and other health care providers in all types of settings.
Acute / Critical Care Nursing/Care of the Clinically Complicated Patient
The acute/critical care track was established in response to the high incidence of trauma and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Israel. The rapid development of medical technology has led to an increased survival rate from diseases once thought to be fatal. Patients, especially those in trauma and critical care, tend to have complicated medical needs. High hospital costs have led to shortened hospital stays and the rapid movement of the acute/critical care patient to the community.
These patients, whether in the hospital or other institutions, require specialized care. Nurses tending these patients must have a strong background in technological and medical developments, health care economics and finance, as well as be sensitive to the needs of the patient and his/her family. A nurse in this track must exhibit skills in teaching, consultation and supervision as well as the ability to work with a multi-disciplinary staff, whether or not the direct caregivers are professionally trained.
For More Information
If you are interested in applying to our Master's in Clinical Nursing, please visit the Faculty of Medicine website www.md.huji.ac.il and the Hebrew University website for admissions to master's programs at www.info.huji.ac.il.
Professional Accomplishments
PUBLICATIONS, AWARDS AND HONORS
Lecturer Vered Kater was the 2010 recipient of the National Becky Bergman Prize for Nursing Creativity.
Read her story below:
If you ever find yourself in the faculty lounge at the Henrietta Szold Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Nursing and take a look at the notice board, you may be treated to a surprise. Amidst the invitations to conferences, and notices of upcoming events, you'll also see pictures of a smiling nurse surrounded by smiling children in front of what appears to be some type of African village. And indeed it is. The children and background change periodically but the smiling nurse is always the same.
For more than 20 years, senior faculty member, Vered Kater, who specializes in pediatrics and health promotion, has been using her vacation time to travel around the world and establish sustainable public health programs throughout the developing world.
With the help of various non-profit organizations like American Jewish World Service, Health without Borders and Jewish Health International, Ms. Kater, a native of Holland, has implemented programs in over ten countries including Rwanda, Kosovo and Cambodia.
It all started at a Chanukah party about 20 years ago. Ms. Kater found herself sitting next to a childhood development specialist who was planning on going to Uganda in a few weeks to set up an early childhood program for refugee mothers in Jinja.
The woman had some reservations traveling solo to Uganda, which at that time did not have relations with Israel. Ms. Kater told the woman that she should really have a nurse on the program because education and health go hand in hand, and that would also solve her dilemma of being alone in Uganda.
The woman said, "Well, why don't you come with me?" and, "from then on", says Ms. Kater, "the bug got me. I couldn't stop. Of course, I had no idea what I was getting in to. Neither one of us did. At that time, there was no information available about health care or education in Uganda. I had to go to the university library to find any and all information about the country. That was it!"
She recalls that trip as one of her most challenging experiences, mostly because she had never done anything like this before; nor had anyone else. In exchange for airfare, insurance and (sometimes) board, Ms. Kater trains nurses, laypersons and a variety of caregivers, such as the women who took care of terminal HIV patients at their homes in Zambia.
All of her health promotion projects are specific and she teaches in such a way that the 'students' can continue on their own after she leaves.
Her programs include: teaching people working with homeless drug addicts in Bombay to avoid HIV infection; helping street children who live on railway platforms in India; basic healthcare and hygiene for Tsunami survivors, and establishing a clinic in a youth village for genocide victims in Rwanda.
"The most rewarding experience I think I've had was making my first CPR doll. When I went to teach first aid to a group in India I had a problem. You can't touch anyone below the belt (only in emergency care) so how can you demonstrate the technique. I went to a seamstress and explained that I needed a large doll, about the size of her 4 year old daughter. I put a garden hose connected to a balloon inside and voila, Priya, which means beautiful, was born".
The people that Ms. Kater had trained ended up using Priya in their future trainings. Since then, she has made numerous Priya dolls. When an NGO found out, they volunteered to send her the typically used 'Annie' doll, but Kater refused. "If something breaks, the participants won't touch it, and it won't be accepted. And then what have you accomplished?"
Kater believes strongly in the sustainability of these projects, which she feels can only happen if the participants use supplies that are available in their own countries. She has been to many countries where upon rummaging through supply closets, she has found expensive highly technological equipment that has just disintegrated from lack of use.
Ms. Kater emphatically believes that nurses have a crucial role to play in elevating healthcare among impoverished communities. "Nursing is wonderful and we can do so much; if you go to those needy countries, there are so many people that can improve their own health if we teach and explain the importance of living healthy and teach the ways to do so. As nurses, we can do a lot to help people help themselves."
Vered Kater doesn't think that will stop any time soon. Her next project in Burundi started on the day she officially retired.
VISITING PROFESSORS
There are many options to work with the faculty of the Henrietta Szold Hadassah - Hebrew University School of Nursing.
If you plan to visit the Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine and/or Hadassah Hospital at Ein Karem, and are interested in offering a guest lecture to our faculty, please send a brief cover letter of intent along with your resume to [email protected] with "guest lecture" written in the subject line.
If you are interested in conducting a collaborative research or study with a member of our faculty, please view the list of research interests below and send a letter of intent and resume to [email protected] with "collaborative research" in the subject line.
Visiting Professors at the School of Nursing are typically expected to engage in research with their host faculty, participate in or lead graduate level seminars, and act as mentors and partners to the nursing faculty. The precise activities will be mutually decided upon by the visitor and his/her academic sponsor. If you are interested in pursuing a visiting professor position at the school for a period of at least two months, please review the following criteria:
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You must currently hold an academic position as a full or associate professor
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You must be interested in contributing to, or partnering with one of our current faculty in a significant research project in one of the current studies. For a list of our areas of interest, please see below.
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You should be willing to procure your own funding source to contribute to the proposed study. Lady Davis Fellowships are available for stays of more than two months. Please visit the application site to verify your eligibility for this scholarship at ldft.huji.ac.il.
Please send a copy of your resume and a brief cover letter expressing your area of interest and plan for a mutual research project to Aviva Yoselis at [email protected].