Organisation profile

The aim of the Department is to implement high-quality education in nursing and midwifery, develop integration between evidence-based care, studies and research, use interdisciplinary approach in the study process and draw upon experience of international cooperation.
Main tasks of the Department are using student-centred approach in the study process, development of professional competences of the academic staff and more valuable use of the potential, development of cooperation with professional organisations, employers and institutions of higher education, development of international cooperation in the sector of health care by participating in implementation of international projects
Department of Nursing and Midwifery is one of the departments of the Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare. As of 2019, the Head of the department is asst. prof. Kristaps Circenis. The study process is successfully implemented thanks to the professionalism and considerable practical experience of the lecturers. In order for students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills the department successfully cooperates with leading inpatient and outpatient institutions, GP practices and care centres in Latvia. Students can also undergo a placement at regional medical institutions across the country. In cooperation with the Latvian Red Cross, students are engaged in educating patients and society, within the framework of their study placement. Preclinical training is carried out in cooperation with the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre, which enables students to simulate various clinical situations and develop their problem-solving skills. 
The department is academically very accomplished considering the number bachelor’s and master’s theses that are prepared and presented, and the quality of its lecturers. Many of the department’s lecturers have obtained doctoral degrees in medicine, while others have recently finished their doctoral studies and are preparing for their doctoral thesis presentations. Further, international scientific publications are prepared in the department each year, and lecturers regularly take part in national and international scientific conferences and congresses. They are experienced in working at scientific conferences and on organising committees, managing plenary meetings and sections. They also review international publications and are members of editorial boards on international scientific journals.