DEGREE OF AWARENESS OF STUDENTS IN THE SPECIALTY OF "NURSING" REGARDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

Abstract

Continuing education plays a crucial role in the professional development of nurses, ensuring high-quality patient care and adaptation to the dynamic healthcare environment. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of awareness among nursing students regarding the available opportunities for continuing education. A survey was conducted among 266 students from three medical universities in Bulgaria. The results show that students have the most complete information (62.8%) about continuing in master's programs, slightly more than half (51.1%) are aware of the possible specializations, as well as training conducted in a hospital environment (49.6%). Regarding the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills through "courses organized by the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals (BAHP), doctoral studies, as well as participation in international, national and university research projects", 44.0% of respondents stated that they were not aware. Furthermore, evidence on the quality of surgical nursing care highlights that professional qualifications and continuing education significantly influence patient outcomes. The findings suggest that structured information platforms and targeted financial mechanisms are needed to improve students’ access to information about continuing education opportunities. Expanding digital resources and introducing mentoring programs could further support students in making informed decisions about their educational path. Furthermore, collaboration between universities and healthcare institutions should be strengthened to provide more practical training and professional development opportunities.