Nursing Science
Nursing science at Tampere university
Nursing science is a discipline studying the health of individuals and families, their well-being, and care in different contexts. It is situated at the Health Sciences Unit at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University.
Research and teaching support the goals of the Faculty of Social Sciences, such as the effort to identify, understand, and address well-being challenges and related issues. In line with the faculty's research guidelines, nursing science combines strong disciplinary expertise with multidisciplinary research and teaching open to new issues.
Nursing science offers consist of Bachelor's and Master's degrees and Doctoral programmes in health sciences.
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Our research is grounded in family nursing theory, which recognizes that individuals are always part of a network of loved ones—their family.
We employ diverse research methods, foster strong national and international collaborations, and embrace multidisciplinary approaches.
Through this work, we generate new knowledge that strengthens evidence-based practice in healthcare and contributes to wellbeing in society at large.
Key themes of our research
Wellbeing of families and individuals
The emphasis of this theme is on research that generates knowledge of the lives of families and individuals, promotion and support of health and wellbeing, and effective nursing interventions. Family and individuals are perceived as active experts and promoters of their own wellbeing.
Service system that produces wellbeing
The research theme produces knowledge about the service system, its function, and multiprofessional cooperation in healthcare and its interfaces, particularly from the perspectives of clients, patients, and families.
High quality care through leadership
The research theme produces knowledge about healthcare leadership, nurses’ wellbeing at work, and organisational cultures. Good leadership strengthens wellbeing at work and promotes good care.
High quality care through competence
The research theme produces knowledge about the healthcare education system and the learning and competence of managers, teachers, students and professionals and the assessment methods used in various contexts. The study makes use of the latest digital technology such as simulation games and virtual reality apps.
Information about studies
In nursing science studies, issues related to care and health are examined broadly and from a multidisciplinary perspective, and the teaching is based on multidisciplinary research. Education in nursing science prepares students for expert, educational, and leadership positions in health and care services across the social and health care sector and in various areas of society.
The studies deepen students’ existing expertise in the health sector through multidisciplinary and broad-based subject studies. Students develop knowledge of nursing science and its related disciplines to support decision-making at different levels, as well as working life skills such as communication, information retrieval, and problem-solving skills. The studies increase understanding of current national and international phenomena in nursing science and health care as part of society. The content of the degree programme meets the knowledge requirements for successful professional practice and supports the application of knowledge to health-related issues. Nursing science studies help students to produce and critically evaluate nursing science knowledge and to apply research methods and evidence-based knowledge.
The Master’s studies in Nursing Science consist of advanced subject studies and research methodology studies, practical training, and elective studies. The Master’s programme offers the opportunity to develop expertise either in Developmental Health Management and Leadership or in Health Pedagogy. Upon completion of the studies, graduates have versatile competencies to lead and manage health sector projects, organize their own work, and continuously develop and evaluate evidence-informed personal and workplace competence, change, and professional practice.
The Developmental Health Management and Leadership study track provides competencies for a wide range of development and leadership roles. Students gain strong capabilities to work independently in leadership and expert positions.
The Health Pedagogy study track provides pedagogical qualifications for teachers. Students acquire strong competencies to work independently in educational and expert roles.
A Master’s degree in the Degree Programme in Health Sciences qualifies graduates to apply for the Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences, the international Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology, as well as other relevant doctoral programmes.
STAFF NURSING SCIENCE
HEAD OF NURSING UNIT
Professor
Elina.a.haavisto [at] tuni.fi (elina[dot]a[dot]haavisto[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358504798543
VICE HEAD OF NURSING UNIT
Professor
katja.joronen [at] tuni.fi (katja[dot]joronen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358 50 3494048
PROFESSORS
Professor
Eija.paavilainen [at] tuni.fi (eija[dot]paavilainen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358401904079
Professor (Tenure track)
jari.kylma [at] tuni.fi (jari[dot]kylma[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358401901456
PROFESSORS EMERITA
Professor emerita
marja.kaunonen [at] tuni.fi (marja[dot]kaunonen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Professor emerita
paivi.astedt-kurki [at] tuni.fi (paivi[dot]astedt-kurki[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Marita Paunonen-Ilmmonen
Professor emerita
Professor emerita
tarja.suominen [at] tuni.fi (tarja[dot]suominen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
UNIVERSITY LECTURERS AND UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTORS
University Lecturer
Adjunct Professor
annaliisa.aho [at] tuni.fi (annaliisa[dot]aho[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358401901448
University Lecturer
Adjunct Professor
satu.kajander-unkuri [at] tuni.fi (satu[dot]kajander-unkuri[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358505905035
University Instructor, PhD
Minna.koskimaki [at] tuni.fi (minna[dot]koskimaki[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358503137624
University Lecturer
Adjunct Professor
anja.rantanen [at] tuni.fi (anja[dot]rantanen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358401901452
University Instructor, MNSc, Doctoral Researcher
heidi.rantanen [at] tuni.fi (heidi[dot]rantanen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358504118724
Head of Degree programme
University Instructor, MNSc
mervi.roos [at] tuni.fi (mervi[dot]roos[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358401901450
Anu Soikkeli- Jalonen
University Instructor, PhD, Postdoctoral researcher
anu.soikkeli-jalonen [at] tuni.fi (anu[dot]soikkeli-jalonen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS AND DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
Principal Researcher, PhD
Pia.keiski [at] tuni.fi (pia[dot]keiski[at]tuni[dot]fi)
+358503071385
Lotta Jämiä
Doctoral research, MNSc
lotta.jamia [at] tuni.fi (lotta[dot]jamia[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Laura Maatraiva
Doctoral research, MNSc
laura.maatraiva [at] tuni.fi (laura[dot]maatraiva[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Kaisa Marin
Doctoral research, MNSc
kaisa.marin [at] tuni.fi (kaisa[dot]marin[at]tuni[dot]fi)
EDUCATION SPECIALISTS
Education specialist
Iida Valaranta | Tampere universities
ADJUNCT PROFESSORS
Anja Rantanen, Nursing Science
Anna Liisa Aho, Nursing Science
Anneli Pitkänen, Nursing Science
Aune Flinck, Family Nursing Science
Eeva Harju, Nursing Science
Elina Mattila, Nursing Science
Jaana-Maija Koivisto, Nursing Science
Katja Joronen, Nursing Science
Mari Salminen-Tuomaala, Nursing Science
Maritta Välimäki, Nursing Science
Merja Miettinen, Nursing leadership
Mira Palonen, Family Nursing Science
Nina Kilkku, Nursing Science
Outi Kanste, Nursing Science
Päivi Leikkola, Nursing Science
Sirpa Salin, Nursing Science
Riikka Ikonen, Nursing Science
Toni Haapa, Nursing Science
HONORARY DOCTORS
Leena Salmijärvi (1992)
Marjorie A. White (2000)
Patricia Short Tomlinson (2005)
Paula Risikko (2012)
Britt-Inger Saveman (2012)