The symposium, held on September 18 – 19, 2025 at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia (FHSS USB), opened a new cycle of nursing, scientific, and international meetings. The faculty is hosting 70 active participants who, in their presentations and discussions, analyse nursing in a broad context. The main theme of the 17th edition of this prestigious event – originally initiated by the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the University of South Bohemia – is the challenges influencing the strengthening of the role of nurses in modern society.
Experts from all partner universities have come to České Budějovice (Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care, Slovakia; University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hungary; and the Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Poland), as well as guests from other countries, including The Ohio State University, USA. The rich programme filled lecture halls and classrooms in the main Vltava building until Friday afternoon.
Presenters and other guests focused primarily on issues of clinical and multicultural care and community care, trends in nursing education, and Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN). Closely related to the main theme is a wide range of research and contexts that are important and useful for everyday life. These include, for example, the impact of climate change on human health or the prevention of oncological diseases in people with intellectual disabilities. A number of very interesting and practical topics, illustrating the diverse scope of the issues, were contributed to the programme by FHSS USB members.
The tradition of these prestigious events began in 2001 as the annual South Bohemian Nursing Days with international participation. Their organization was initiated by the then Head of the Department of Nursing, prof. PhDr. Valérie Tóthová, Ph.D., dr. h. c., who is now Vice-Dean for Science and Research and Director of the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care at FHSS USB. She initiated cooperation with foreign partner universities and introduced a rotation system, whereby since 2008 each symposium has been organized by a different partner university.
The goal is to explore possibilities for further development and improvement of patient care, with the connection of theoretical knowledge and quality practice considered an essential foundation of a professional approach. Evaluations of this symposium model so far confirm significant benefits, especially thanks to mutual meetings focused on addressing common professional issues. These are highly useful and stimulating, particularly because they bring together representatives of education and practice in nursing, midwifery, and paramedicine with all those involved in developing these fields.
Helping professions attract empathetic people, which was evident right from the start in the exceptionally pleasant atmosphere of this symposium – it is clear that participants were glad to meet in person again and already have many plans for further collaboration. At the opening, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Mgr. Ivana Chloubová, Ph.D., welcomed everyone and emphasized the crucial role of current Vice-Dean for Science and Research, prof. PhDr. Valérie Tóthová, Ph.D., dr. h. c., in organizing these symposia. She thanked her with a large bouquet, and further recognition was presented to members of the faculty leadership by Prof. Dianne Morrison-Beedy. She came to our faculty together with her colleague Professor Cindy Zellefrow from our partner university The Ohio State University, USA. Since Monday, both have participated in a packed programme at the Institute of Nursing, Midwifery, and Emergency Care, in the Simulation Centre for Health Professions, and in meetings with doctoral students.
Professor Dianne Morrison-Beedy opened the symposium with a presentation emphasizing that nurses, too, must take care of their physical and mental health – including advice on how to protect themselves from burnout in this demanding profession. Professor Cindy Zellefrow addressed the “evidence-based” approach and its integration into teaching. Afterwards, in the opening session, representatives of all participating universities gave their presentations.
