Department of Nursing Science

In Finland, all PhD dissertations are defended in public events. Dissertations can be found from the Open Institutional Repository of the University of Turku (UTUPub).

From 2025, this page will list only dissertations presented in English. For a complete list of all dissertations, please visit the department's Finnish page.

2025

• 7.2.2025 TtM Jaana Lojander

  ”Maternal Perspectives on Postnatal Breastfeeding Support: Integrating Perceptions for a Mother-Friendly Ten Steps Framework” at 12-16, University of Turku, Medisiina, Osmo Järvi -sali, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. 
  You can follow the dissertation via Echo360.

  • Esteemed opponent: Professor Christine Rubertsson (University of Lund, Sweden)
  • Custos: Docent Hannakaisa Niela-Vilén (University of Turku) 
  • Language of the event: English

2024

• 14.6.2024 MHSc Jenni Rinne
  ”Occupational well-being of nurse educators – Development and evaluation of a digital intervention”
  at 12-16, University of Turku, Medisiina, Osmo Järvi -sali, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can follow the dissertation via Echo360. 
  • Esteemed opponent: Professor Stephen Tee (Bournemouth University, Great Britain) 
  • Custos: Professor Leena Salminen (University of Turku)  
  • Language of the event: English
• 19.4.2024 MHSc Johanna Nyman 
  ”Supporting early adolescent tobacco refusal self-efficacy: an intervention study”
  at 12-16, University of Turku, Medisiina, Alhopuro-sali, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can follow the dissertation via Echo360.
  • Esteemed opponent: Associate Professor Mary Hughes (Trinity College Dublin, Irlanti) 
  • Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)  
  • Language of the event: English
• 22.3.2024 MHSc Johanna Kaitsalmi
  "A nursing model for enabling the realization of agency of children defined as special"
  at 12-16, University of Turku, Medisiina, Alhopuro-sali, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can follow the dissertation via Echo360.
  • Esteemed opponent: Professor Simo Vehmas (Stockholm University)
  • Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)  
  • Language of the event: Finnish 
• 2.2.2024 MHSc Minna Laiti 
  ”Towards LGBTQ+ inclusive junior high school nursing – Development of a theoretical model” 
  at 12-16, University of Turku, Educarium, Edu2 Auditorium, Assistentinkatu 5, Turku. You can follow the dissertation via Echo360.  
  • Esteemed opponent: Associate Professor Jari Kylmä (Tampere University)  
  • Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)  
  • Language of the event: Finnish 

2023

• 15.12.2023 MHSc Kiki Metsäranta  
  ”Digital technologies to support mental health among young people”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Eija Paavilainen (Tampere University)  
  Custos: Professor Maritta Välimäki (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish 
• 27.10.2023 MSc Anne Pienimaa  
  ”THE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE OF SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTHCARE APPLICANTS - Development and evaluation of the test for student selection”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Maria Kääriäinen (University of Oulu)  
  Custos: Professor Elina Haavisto (Tampere University and University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 20.10.2023 MHSc Riitta Rosio  
  ”Smart Pain Assessment tool for critically ill patients unable to communicate - Early stage development of a medical device”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Associate Professor Sigríður Zoéga (University of Iceland, Iceland)   
  Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: English
• 6.10.2023 MHSc Leena Tuominen  
  ”Empowering patient education in patients with colorectal cancer”   
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Docent Päivi Kankkunen (University of Eastern Finland)  
  Custos: Professor Helena Leino-Kilpi (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 30.6.2023 MSc Jennifer Auxier  
  ”A Model for Patient Engagement Integration in Perinatal eHealth development and Quality Assurance”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Yvonne Fontein-Kuipers (Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland)  
  Custos: Associate Professor Anna Axelin (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: English
• 19.6.2023 MHSc Sunna Rannikko  
  ”Theoretical Construction of the Ethical Pathway”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360.  
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Hannele Turunen (University of Eastern Finland)  
  Custos: Professor Helena Leino-Kilpi (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 16.6.2023 MHSc Satu Poikajärvi  
  ”Sekavuustilasta kärsivän aikuispotilaan hoitotyö kirurgisessa hoitoympäristössä – Ensioireista tunnistamiseen”   
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Zoom.  
  Esteemed opponent: Associate professor Heli Vaartio-Rajalin (Åbo Akademi)  
  Custos: Professor Sanna Salanterä (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 2.6.2023 MHSc Jaakko Varpula  
  ”Safety Incidents in seclusion and restraint practices in psychiatric inpatient care”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina D, Alhopuro auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360 live stream.  
  Esteemed opponent: Docent Kaisa Haatainen (University of Eastern Finland)  
  Custos: Docent Tella Lantta (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 19.5.2023 MHSc Ninni Ihalainen  
  ”Stigma toward people with mental disorders”  
  12-16 University of Turku, Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Auditorium, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku. You can also follow via Echo360 live stream.  
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Marja Kaunonen (Tampere University)  
  Custos: Docent Tella Lantta (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish
• 12.5.2023 MHSc Johanna Wiisak  
  "Whistleblowing for wrongdoing in health care – from identification to action”   
  12-16 University of Turku, Dentalia, Arje Scheinin -auditorium, Lemminkäisenkatu 2, Turku. You can also follow via Zoom.   
  Esteemed opponent: Professor Marit Kirkevold (University of Oslo, Norway)  
  Custos: Professor Helena Leino-Kilpi (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: English
• 14.4.2023 MHSc Mari Mynttinen  
  ”RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO ADOLESCENTS’ USE OF ALCOHOL – Perspectives of adolescents and parents”  
  12-16 Tyks, T-sairaala, Haartman-auditorium, Hämeentie 11, Turku. You can also follow via Zoom.  
  Esteemed opponent: Docent Jari Kylmä (Tampere University)  
  Custos: Professor Mari Kangasniemi (University of Turku)  
  Languge of the event: Finnish

Clinical Instruments for Evaluating Health - Development, Evaluation and Implementation CIDI, 25 ECTS
Next course in 7 January - 6 May 2025
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Empowering Patient Education EPE, 25 ECTS
Next course in 2 September - 11 December 2024
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Empowering Learning Environments in Nursing Education, Intensive Programme EleneIP, 10 ECTS
Next course in 21 - 25 October 2024
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

Health Innovations - from Ideas to Impact in Device Development, 2 ECTS
Brochure (pdf)
Study Guide

2025

• 28-29 August 2025 The 25th International Nursing Ethics Conference
  • Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku organizes the 25th International Nursing Ethics Conference
  • Venue: Conference is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
  • Conference language is English.
• 9 Oct 2025 RENE2025 Symposium
  • Symposium organised by the Research in Nursing Education (RENE) research group in cooperation with its partners. Symposium aim is to discuss nurse and health care education research and to promote networking of the researcher in the field and cooperation in Finland.
  • Venue: Laurea, Tikkurila Campus, Finland
  • Conference language is Finnish/English

2024

• 12-13 Dec 2024 Postdoctoral Researchers in Nursing Science Shaping the Future of the Social and Health Care
  Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku organizes the second international symposium for postdoctoral researchers.
  Venue: Symposium is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
  Conference language is English.
  More information available on symposium site.

2023

• 13 Dec 2023 Empowering Patient Education 15th Anniversary Symposium
  Venue: Hämeentie 11, Tyks T-hospital, part of Tyks Main Hospital in Turku, Finland
  Conference language is English
  More information available on symposium site.
• 5 Oct 2023 RENE-symposium
  Symposium organised by the Research in Nursing Education (RENE) research group in cooperation with its partners. Symposium aim is to discuss nurse and health care education research and to promote networking of the researcher in the field and cooperation in Finland.
  Venue: DIAK Helsinki, Kyläsaarenkuja 2, Finland
  Conference language is Finnish/English
  More information available on symposium site.
• 14-19 June 2023 ICoNS Summer School
  Venue: The Summer School is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
  Summer school language is English.
  More information available on website.
• 5-9 June 2023 ReCap Summer School
  The Summer School focuses on research methods bringing to know coherent and more advanced thinking of methodologies in Nursing Science.
  Venue: The Summer School is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
  Summer School language is English.
  More information available on website.

2022

• 10 Feb 2022 RENE Symposium
  Symposium organised by the Research in Nursing Education (RENE) research group in cooperation with its partners. Symposium aim is to discuss nurse and health care education research and to promote networking of the researcher in the field and cooperation in Finland.
  Venue: Zoom
  Conference language is Finnish.
  More information available on symposium site.
• 8-9 Dec 2022 New Horizons for Postdoctoral Researchers in Nursing Science
  Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku organizes the first international symposium for postdoctoral researchers.
  Venue: Symposium is organized at Turku, Finland. The exact address is Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, building Medisiina D.
  Conference language is English.
  More information available on symposium site.

2021

• 19-20 May 2021 The 8th SCENE Symposium
  Symposium is organised by the Separation and Closeness Experiences in the Neonatal Environment (SCENE) group to share the new research findings related to closeness in the neonatal environment and to start collaborating in research projects aiming to improve care culture and increase infant-parent-family closeness.
  Venue: hybrid event online & on site in Tallinn, Estonia
  Registration deadline: 12 May 2021 via Konsta
  Conference language is English.
  More information available on symposium site.
• 9 Nov 2021 Nursing Science Symposium III of Southwest Finland
  Online symposium with theme "Clinical career model and leading it" in collaboration with several other organisations and associations in the region.
  Conference language is Finnish.
  More information available on the Symposium poster (pdf).

The Department of Nursing Science organizes several thematic days annually. These theme days are free of charge and open to all. Most of the theme days are conducted in Finnish. For the year 2025, only the theme days held in English are listed on this page. To see all the theme days, please proceed to the Finnish page.

2025

• 26.2.2025 Health Technology Day (program opens in a PDF file) as onsite event. Please register by 25.2.2025 via this link.

2024

• 29.1.2024 Health care and nursing leadership
• 14.2.2024 Mental health
• 28.2.2024 Health technology (event in English)
• 6.3.2024 Gerontological nursing science
• 17.4.2024 Clinical nursing science
• 30.5.2024 Patient education and health promotion
• 13.11.2024 Health pedagogy
• 9.12.2024 Health care and nursing ethics

2023

• 30.1.2023 Health care and nursing leadership
• 15.2.2023 Mental health
• 28.2.2023 Health technology (event in English) 
• 1.3.2023 Gerontological nursing science
• 19.4.2023 Clinical nursing science
• 23.5.2023 Patient education and health promotion
• 15.11.2023 Health pedagogy
• 11.12.2023 Health care and nursing ethics

Read more

Conference website

14.8.2023

Sigma is a global Nursing organisation founded in the 1920s. The organisation does a lot of work for Nursing and Nursing science. The organisation was originally founded in the United States, but now has several chapters in Europe. The newest was established by the University of Eastern Finland in 2022.

To celebrate 100 years of significant Nursing work, the European Chapters have brought together 100 European prominent figures in Nursing Science under one booklet. We are proud to announce that the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Turku has nominated two nurses to the list: Sirkka Lauri, the first Professor of Nursing Science in Turku, who originally started the Nursing Science education, and Professor Helena Leino-Kilpi, Professor and long-time Head of the Department. The list also includes Raija Kontio, an Associate professor at the Department, who is particularly known for her work in developing Nursing leadership.

The importance of Finns in the development of Nursing in Europe began in the early years of Nursing education, and the list includes Venny Snellman and Sophie Mannerheim, who were influential at the time. Katie Eriksson, a long-standing professor of Swedish-language Nursing education in Finland, Professor Maija Hentinen from the University of Oulu, and Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, Professor in University of Eastern Finland, have also been named among the 100-year influencers.

We are happy for the University of Turku's influencers and congratulate all of them!

» Read more 

1.6.2023

The Faculty of Medicine marked its 80th anniversary this year and celebrated its doctors and honorary doctors with a traditional ceremonial conferment of doctoral degrees on 25–27 May 2023. 

On Thursday 25 May we had the honour to meet Professor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and the University of Barcelona at the department. Professor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz will be conferred as the honorary doctor in Health Science.

Professor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz is one of the most influential leaders in nursing science in Europe and a highly-valued researcher and teacher. Her work in the application of evidence-based nursing has especially improved the health and well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers.

The official celebration started on Thursday, 25 May, when the honorary doctors held their Studia Generalia lectures. Professor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz gave a lecture on "Implementation of Advanced Practice Nursing in Spain".

In the evening, the promovendi prepared for the Conferment Ceremony by sharpening their swords in the Sword Sharpening Ceremony. 

In the photos: Honorary Doctor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz with her husband and Professor Riitta Suhonen, Doctoral candidate Heidi Parsod sharpening her doctoral sword & Doctoral researcher Saija Inkeroinen in the airueen's duties.

On Friday, 26 May, the doctors were conferred in the Conferment Ceremony and received their hat and sword.  All together 152 doctors  and 5 Honorary Doctors were conferred in the Ceremonial Conferment. The promoted doctors in Nursing Science were: lina Aitamaa, Mika Alastalo, Heidrun Gattinger, Lotta Hamari, Anne Isotalo, Emilia Kielo-Viljamaa, Terhi Lemetti, Mervi Lepistö, Anni Pakarinen, Heidi Parisod, Laura-Maria Peltonen, Sanna-Mari Pudas-Tähkä, Eriikka Siirala, Camilla Strandell-Laine, Leena Uronen and Jonna Vierula. Adelaida Zabalegui was conferred as the honorary doctor. In the role of the promoter was Professor Maritta Välimäki.

After the Conferment Ceremony, the Academic Procession made its way along Aninkaistenkatu to the Cathedral for the ceremonial service.

The evening concluded with a promotion dinner at Turku Castle. On Saturday morning, the conferred doctors and honorary doctors participated on an informal cruise and brunch.

In the photos: Honorary Doctor Adelaida Zabalegui Yárnoz gave a speech at Turku Castle on behalf of Honorary Doctors and at the end of the evening, Promoted Doctor Emilia Kielo-Viljamaa gave a speech to the rising sun.

» Read more

31.3.2023

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 have been published: Nursing Science was the highest ranked discipline of the University of Turku and the best in Finland

In the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the University of Turku ranked among the best 500 universities in the world in four broad subject areas and in 14 disciplines. The highest ranked discipline of the University of Turku was Nursing Science (ranked 45th).

QS Rankings by Subject 2023 is the biggest ranking in QS history, featuring altogether 1594 universities – 103 of which are new. The rankings were based on five indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, H-index and international research network index.

All in all the Department of Nursing Science was ranked as follows:

TOP #1 within Finland

TOP #10 within Europe

TOP #45 worldwide

» Read more 
» QS World University Rankings by Subject: Nursing 2023

6.3.2023

The first professor in nursing science in the University of Turku, PhD Sirkka Lauri passed away in January 2023.

She was a pioneer in nursing science in Finland. She was appointed as the first professor in nursing science in the University of Kuopio (current University of Eastern Finland) in 1986. University of Kuopio had started the academic nursing education as the first in the country in 1979. In 1988, Sirkka Lauri moved to the University of Turku, where she worked as pioneer for education and research and Head of the Department of Nursing Science until the retirement, 2002.

Professor Lauri had large international networks, in USA, Canada, Europe and Nordic countries. Her research was in the field of decision-making, where she created both theory and evaluation. She also was part of the very early discussions about the European PhD-education, and was establishing the Finnish national doctoral education in nursing science. She was founding member in the establishment of Finnish Association of Nursing Research and was the first editor of the Finnish Journal of Nursing Science, Hoitotiede. Thus, professor Lauri had a large contribution to nursing science both in Finland and internationally.

Professor Lauri created the basis for education and research in nursing science, connections with health care organisations and large international networks in the University of Turku, Finland. Based on these, we have then been able to build the current, international position of the Department and starting points for future.

We respect the lifework of professor Lauri.

Faculty of the Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku.

^1.8.2022

The Department of Nursing Science was ranked the best in Finland in Nursing in Shanghai Ranking 2022

The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 published by the Shanghai Ranking ranked altogether 5 000 universities in 54 subjects. Of these,1800 universities received a ranking. Altogether 54 subjects in natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medicine, and social sciences were evaluated.

Overall The University of Turku was listed among the best universities in altogether 24 of the 54 subjects. In Nursing the overall ranking was 51–75. Besides Nursing, the best ranking were also in Food Science & Technology (ranking 51–75) and Medical Technology (ranking 101-150).

The Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 took into consideration the quality of research, international collaboration, top research, and esteemed academic recognitions. The ranking has been published by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy since 2009.

» Read more