History
The first School of Nursing in the country was created in 1896, and the administrative offices of the current Faculty of Nursing hold academic records dating back to the academic year 1928-1929.
In 1952, the two areas of study previously offered – nursing and midwifery – were combined under the name Technical Healthcare Assistant (ATS).
The history of the UB's School of Nursing dates back to the 1977 when, under Royal Decree 2128/1997, university studies in nursing, taught until that year at the former School of Technical Healthcare Auxiliaries of the Faculty of Medicine, were officially constituted as a university diploma course. From that moment, the University School of Nursing became part of the University's core academic structure.
The School organized its teaching staff in line with institutional requirements and formed two departments: Public Health Nursing, Mental Health and Perinatal Nursing, and Fundamental Care and Medical-Surgical Nursing.
In the academic year 1988-1989, a range of postgraduate diplomas were introduced: master's degrees, postgraduate programmes and university extension courses (UB-specific qualifications) that meet the lifelong learning requirements of these professionals. The programme is now fully consolidated and student numbers grow each year. To continue to enhance the student experience, modifications were made to the Faculty's curricula in 1990, 1993 and 1999. In the pursuit of ongoing improvement, in 1996, the Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency (AQU) assessed the quality of the degree in Nursing within the framework of the University's quality plan. Subsequently, in 2023, the curriculum underwent an internal evaluation.
In the academic year 2007-2008, the School of Nursing designed a Strategic Plan, carrying out a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The Plan also set out the Faculty's mission vision and values. In 2009, the bachelor's degree in Nursing underwent validation and in 2015 a new self-assessment report received positive accreditation from AQU. An Action Plan was also drafted, establishing the Faculty's main area of strategy. In 2007, the programme was adapted to the requirements of the EHEA, bringing it into align with the new European degree structure.
In the academic year 2009-2010, the doctoral programme in Nursing Sciences was introduced. The name was changed in 2014-2015 to the doctoral programme in Nursing and Health.
In the academic year 2010-2011, the School's first university master's degree was introduced: Master's degree in Leadership and Management of Nursing Services.
In the academic year 2015-2016, the School launched its second university master's degree: Master's degree in Applied Research Methodology in Nursing Care.
In the academic year 2016-2017, the third university master's degree was introduced: Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice
During the academic year 2016-2017, the University carried out a structural reform, as part of which the University School of Nursing was integrated into the Nursing Training and Research Unit in the new Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Finally, on 24 April 2023, the Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia published Resolution REU/1303/2023, of 13 April, establishing as of the academic year 2023-2024 the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Barcelona as an official centre in the University's academic structure.
The School of Nursing has always adopted a long-term approach to continuous improvement, contributing to the quality of its programmes and winning recognition in the main national and international rankings. It also maintains a long-standing commitment to social, cultural, economic and regional development.
