The study program of the 1st level Nursing Care was approved by the Senate of the University of Maribor on 21 October 2008 and by the Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Higher Education on 22 December 2008.

The study program does not contain parts that can be completed individually.

Graduates can continue their studies at the University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, on 2nd-level postgraduate master's study programs, Nursing Care, Bioinformatics and Management in Health and Social Walfare, as well as continue their studies at other faculties in Slovenia and abroad at postgraduate study programs.

Based on the competences of all subjects, the employment opportunities of a graduate of the first-level undergraduate study in Nursing are linked to: - health institutions (hospitals, medical institutions), - social welfare institutions, - social services, - school institutions, - nursing hospitals, - private sector, - medical units of the Slovenian army and defense structures of future international connections, - civil protection, - humanitarian organizations, - various European and global organizations related to healthcare and nursing.

The 1st degree study program Nursing is in line with the Directive of the European Parliament 2005/36/EC and with the European directives for regulated professions 77/453 EEC, 89/595/EEC, 77/453 EEC and 89/595/EEC.

The method of knowledge verification and evaluation is governed by the Rules on knowledge verification and evaluation at UM, which is available at the following link: https://www.um.si/univerza/dokumentni-center/akti/Strani/studij-na-um.aspx. The rules and course syllabuses determine the methods of real-time checking and evaluation of knowledge and thus monitoring the student's own progress in studies. The candidate passes the knowledge test successfully if he gets a grade from sufficient (6) to excellent (10).

The basic aim of the program is to provide the graduate with the range of knowledge, attitudes, professional values and skills that he will use when working in the field of nursing. The study program Nursing enables students to acquire knowledge through the study of theoretical and methodological concepts, the ability to transfer and apply theoretical knowledge to practice and solve professional, work and other problems, especially by searching for new sources of knowledge and using scientific methods, developing the ability to communicate within the profession and between professions, professional and scientific criticism and responsibility, initiative and independence in decision-making and managing more demanding work.

Among the general competences, the following competences are particularly highlighted: • ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics, • integration of organizational skills to support successful business decisions, • planning and supervision of the implementation of nursing activities, • the use of scientific research methods for research in the field of nursing, • use of modern information and communication technologies. The study program will enable the student to: • acquisition of expertise and knowledge in the field of qualitative and quantitative research methods, with which he will be able to effectively implement evidence-based healthcare, • the ability to solve demanding professional and work problems, • mastering communication with the patient/ward, with colleagues in the nursing and medical team and externally with other partners, • professional criticality and responsibility, initiative and independence in decision-making and management of the medical team.

In accordance with the List of professions in health care, students will acquire the following competencies: • health promotion, health education and learning to understand the connections between lifestyle and health, • understanding of health problems and processes for strengthening, achieving and maintaining health, • organizing, managing and supervising activities and nursing services, • management of the nursing team, • implementation of nursing care based on the nursing history, nursing diagnosis and set goals of nursing care, • participation in the treatment process as part of the medical team and implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic programs, • monitoring and documenting the outcomes and effects of nursing interventions, • interdisciplinary and multisectoral integration to ensure quality treatment of the patient, • providing nursing care in the context of emergency medical assistance, • pedagogic work for the renewal of own personnel, • research work in nursing and quality assurance. The graduate acquires the following subject-specific competencies: • knowledge and understanding of the profession of nursing and the history or development of nursing, • the ability to solve concrete problems using qualitative and quantitative scientific methods, • mastering nursing theory and transfer of knowledge into practice and reflection, • understanding the profession and connecting with interdisciplinary fields, • understanding and use of critical thinking methods, • acquisition of nursing care skills in specific areas, • use of information and communication technology and systems in a specific professional field, etc..

Recognition is governed by the procedures and criteria prescribed by the Rulebook on recognition of knowledge and skills in study programs of the University of Maribor no. 012/2019/2. The procedures for determining, verifying and recognizing knowledge and the criteria for recognizing knowledge and skills are used for candidates who are enrolling and for already enrolled students who want their previously acquired knowledge and skills to be taken into account as part of the completed study obligations in the existing program. UM FZV can recognize candidates' knowledge and skills if, in terms of scope, content and complexity, they correspond in whole or in part to the general or subject-specific competencies determined by the study program in which the candidates wish to enroll or are enrolled.

The study program ends with a final thesis. The student completes his studies when he completes all the obligations prescribed by the study program and thus collects at least 180 ECTS.