The program titled “Professions of the Future: Nursing”, organized by the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Science Communication Office, was held at Akademi Café on the 15 Temmuz Şehitler Campus.
The program, moderated by the Head of the BEUN Science Communication Office Asst. Prof. Dr. Melek Toparlak Şahin, was attended by Asst. Prof. Dr. Nurten Arslan from the Department of Nursing at BEUN Faculty of Health Sciences, the Director of BEUN Hospital Nursing Services Specialist Nurse Vildan Kalkan Akyüz and Deputy Director of BEUN Hospital Selda Dikmen Çoban.
Delivering the opening speech of the program, Asst. Prof. Dr. Melek Toparlak Şahin stated that when discussing professions of the future, new technologies often come to mind; however, professions that play a vital role in protecting public health and supporting individuals at every stage of life will always retain their value. Emphasizing that nursing continues to be one of the strongest professions of the future through its foundation in knowledge, science, dedication, and a people-centered approach, Şahin noted that the program would address the career opportunities, development areas, and future expectations associated with the nursing profession.
Speaking at the program, Asst. Prof. Dr. Nurten Arslan stated that technological developments in healthcare are being effectively integrated into nursing education and that nursing education today is carried out in line with the needs of the modern era, beyond the traditional understanding of the profession. Arslan emphasized that the faculty's advanced technology laboratories make a significant contribution to the development of students' practical skills and that the university administration's support for strengthening this infrastructure enhances the quality of education. She also noted that students have the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge through practical training at BEUN Hospital, and that the strong collaboration between the faculty and the hospital contributes significantly to students' professional development. Arslan further stated that graduates successfully manage their transition into professional life, particularly because the necessary clinical experience is gained during their student years.
In her speech, Specialist Nurse Vildan Kalkan Akyüz stated that she has had the opportunity to closely observe the training processes of newly graduated nurses at the hospital. Akyüz noted that she has at times directly contributed to the employment processes of graduate students and emphasized that graduates of the BEUN Department of Nursing have broad employment opportunities in both public and private healthcare institutions. She also highlighted that the hospital's technological infrastructure and equipment contribute to providing nurses with a safe and efficient working environment, while the strong communication between nurses and administrative staff positively reflects on the quality of patient care. Akyüz stated that BEUN, as a healthcare center of the Western Black Sea Region, trains nurses who are also preferred in different provinces, and that employment demands from outside the province are an important indicator of this. She emphasized that nursing is a sacred profession that requires not only technical knowledge but also conscience, dedication, and compassion, and that nurses undertake important responsibilities from birth to the final moments of life.
Hospital Deputy Director Selda Dikmen Çoban also spoke at the program, stating that the professional experience she gained in both the public and private sectors made significant contributions to her career. Çoban explained that her first professional experiences after graduation helped her develop professionally and that the quality education she received at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University provided her with important advantages in her professional life. She noted that at the time of her graduation, she was among the preferred nurse profiles in job applications, attributing this to the strong theoretical and practical education provided by the university. Çoban advised students to continue their academic development through master's and doctoral programs after completing their undergraduate education and emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and professional development in line with technological advancements in healthcare.
The program concluded with a group photograph taken to commemorate the day following a question-and-answer session with the participants.
The full program, which featured comprehensive discussions on nursing education, areas of practice, career opportunities, and the future of the nursing profession, will be available on the BEUN YouTube channel.
