ToT Training on the Implementation of International PEN-HEARTS Protocols for Nurses Held at TNMU

On August 25–29, 2025, a training of trainers (ToT) for nursing education in a team-based approach was held at the Simulation Training Center of Ternopil National Medical University. The course was based on PEN protocols and implemented within the framework of the World Health Organization Ukraine initiative. The event focused on the implementation of PEN-HEARTS protocols aimed at strengthening the role of nurses in the modern healthcare system.

The training program covered evidence-based approaches to the management of patients with arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes, as well as the development of nurses’ clinical skills in line with international standards.

Faculty members from three Ukrainian medical universities took part in the training: Odesa National Medical University, Bohomolets National Medical University, and Ternopil National Medical University. The knowledge and practical skills acquired will serve as a foundation for nurse training within postgraduate education.

The involvement of partner universities highlighted the importance of academic cooperation and contributed to the dissemination of best practices in nursing education at the national level.

The implementation of this course will enhance nurses’ readiness to act in wartime conditions, humanitarian emergencies, and resource-limited settings, while also opening new horizons for the development of the national healthcare system. A key focus was on team-based care, where doctors and nurses jointly make decisions, effectively distribute responsibilities, and complement each other in the care process. This model not only improves the quality of treatment and nursing care but also strengthens the resilience of the healthcare system amid today’s challenges.

The professional atmosphere, interactive format, and expertise of the TNMU Nursing Institute’s training team ensured highly practical outcomes for participants. The competencies gained will form the basis for disseminating modern approaches among nurses across Ukraine, particularly at the postgraduate level. For this reason, TNMU’s Educational and Research Institute of Nursing serves as a key platform for the adapted course in the new format, while PEN protocols accelerate the advancement of postgraduate nursing education in Ukraine.

The training became an example of effective cooperation between Ukrainian universities and international organizations, with TNMU’s role as the primary platform underscoring its leading position in the development of nursing education in Ukraine.