The Educational and Scientific Institute of Nursing at TNMU Maintains Successful International Collaboration with Keele University

Over the past three years, the Educational and Scientific Institute of Nursing, led by Associate Professor Svitlana Danchak, has maintained fruitful cooperation with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Keele University. This collaboration began through the partnership established by Professor Oksana Shevchuk, Head of the Research Management Office, and has continued through participation in international conferences, warm professional communication within the Transnational Academic Talks project, and meaningful exchange of experience with Dr. Ivan McGlen, Head of the International Office, Senior Lecturer, and faculty member at Keele University.

Each year, on International Nurses Day, Keele University organizes a conference featuring nursing education institutions from around the world. In particular, the 5th International Conference, held on May 11–12, 2026, became a platform for presentations by speakers from India, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom. The Ukrainian section was represented by the Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Nursing, Associate Professor Svitlana Danchak, along with Associate Professors Olha Zarudna, Yuliia Danylevych, and Oksana Prokopchuk.

In her presentation, Svitlana Danchak addressed the vulnerability and resilience of the healthcare education system, particularly nursing education, under wartime conditions. She spoke about the challenges facing Ukraine’s educational sector and shared her experience transforming and updating nursing education programs to meet current demands.

The Ukrainian section continued with Olha Zarudna’s presentation, “Humanity on the Front Line,” in which she summarized the results of a qualitative study on the work of military medics, conducted almost since the beginning of the war. The study highlighted the difficult working conditions faced by military healthcare personnel while also demonstrating their professionalism, humanity, empathy, and readiness to save lives in combat zones.

The next presentation was delivered by Oksana Prokopchuk, who focused on healthy nutrition, patient education and motivation, and the role of the nurse as a key figure in guiding and supporting patients throughout this process. Her presentation included practical recommendations, clear communication algorithms, and tools for effective patient interaction aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes.

The final presentation in the Ukrainian section was an especially emotional talk by Yuliia Danylevych, dedicated to mental health, resilience, and the support of children and adolescents experiencing prolonged stress caused by war.

The Ukrainian section took place on the first day of the conference, attracting considerable interest from participants and concluding with an active question-and-answer session.

Overall, the conference covered a broad range of topics, including healthcare education, the preparedness of future nurses for the challenges of real clinical practice, patient advocacy, adherence to good clinical practice, nursing support for occupational injuries, care for women with gestational diabetes and HIV-associated pregnancy, as well as the role of nurses in shaping social policy and addressing complex societal challenges.