The last round of scholarships for nursing students from underdeveloped and extremely underdeveloped municipalities ended this year with the awarding of scholarships to 8 nurses. Ending November 2022, the project supported a total of 71 nursing students at public faculties in BIH, and provided funds for 149 semesters of studies in the total amount of 197.400,91 KM. By helping the academic development of the profession and strengthening the education system, the project contributes to better quality of health services in BiH.

Following the example of EU countries, the education of nurses is being raised to a higher level in BIH as well, so nurses get the opportunity for academic progress. The first undergraduate studies in nursing BIH were introduced in 2002, and today they exist at nine public higher education institutions. This was followed by the introduction of Master studies and doctoral studies.

Although in the transition period the majority of lecturers at master and doctoral studies in nursing will be medical doctors, after the completion of the II or III cycle of studies nurses should be elected to academic titles. Their number is slowly growing, and there are quite a few nurses elected to the teaching titles of professors and assistant professors and already pursuing academic career. For adequate transfer of knowledge to future generations of students, a sufficient number of such teaching staff is necessary. Only once the majority of lecturers at the nursing faculties have education background in nursing, the education system will be in compliance with EU Directives and standards.

Nurses play a key role in providing health care to citizens of small and isolated communities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. They usually make the first, and sometimes the only, contact with health care users in underdeveloped areas. With the evident increase in demand for healthcare professionals in general, the need for nurses in these communities is also increasing. More than ever before, nursing students who come from underdeveloped and extremely underdeveloped municipalities can find employment opportunities in their hometowns and thereby improve the health outcomes of their local communities.

Since 2017, the project has supported a total of 71 nurses, and covered tuition costs for one or more semesters per nurse, in the amount of 50-100% of the total costs. Financial resources have been provided for a total of 149 semesters. By awarding scholarships to 3 bachelor students and 5 masters’ students in 2022, the project ended this type of support.

A brief overview of the awarded scholarships can be found on our website.