Summer School Details

Last updated on January 4, 2011

Background and Aims Of The Summer School Programme 

The European Academy of Nursing Science organises an annual summer school for doctoral nursing students. This Summer Schools were established in 1998 to encourage nursing students undertaking PhD study to add a European dimension to their research and to receive advanced research training. Students on the EANS Summer School for Doctoral Studies programme attend three summer schools as they progress in their studies. 

The EANS Summer School for Doctoral Studies programme has the following aims: 

  • To equip the new generation of early stage European nursing researchers with knowledge and expertise in advanced translational complex interventions research methods;
  • To enable these researchers to design, plan and implement programmatic, mixed methods and complex interventions research in nursing;
  • To create a multi-state, common European learning environment for doctoral nursing students;
  • To enhance the opportunities for doctoral students to study, work and undertake research in other European States.

Outline Of The Summer School 

EANS is leading the drive to equip the next generation of researchers into nursing with knowledge and skills in complex interventions research methods which the current generation has not had access to. In 2010 we will teach the EANS summer school using a new curriculum based on the ideas above. Our intention is to ensure that mixed research methods will become the norm in research into nursing. The complexity of nursing will be recognised explicitly in research programmes which will become increasingly multi-state, multi-disciplinary and programmatic.

The EANS Summer School for Doctoral Studies programme is open to nurses on doctoral programmes with a Bachelor and/or Master degree according to the entry requirements of their home university. New students commence the course each year, starting in year 1 and progress through the programme. On completion of the 3-year Programme, participants are awarded, over and above their degree from their own university, a Certificate which details the European dimension of their work and is recognised by the European Academy of Nursing Science. 

The programme is a coherent series of linked summer schools. Participants remain in the same group throughout the three years and are able to make significant and lasting collaborative relationships with other participants. Keynote speakers and workshop leaders work closely together to ensure the programme remains coherent across the three years that participants attend the schools, with each course remaining consistent with programmes offered in previous schools. Whilst the organisation of each school is the responsibility of the specific University designated to run the school, an organising committee drawn from the Board of EANS and participant Universities ensures that the schools offer the same content and quality. 

During the first summer school participants attend for ten days. During the second and third schools of their programme, participants attend five day courses.