Nursing

Hello, I am Professor Ayse OKANLI, the head of the Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medeniyet University. Our Nursing department is the first department established within our faculty, and we admitted our first students in the academic year 2016-2017. We have successfully graduated up to four cohorts of students thus far. During this period, we have actively delivered education across seven main disciplines.In the first year of our program, we focus on providing foundational courses to our students. Following their first-year practical experience, which emphasizes nursing principles and professional ethics, our second year includes courses in internal medicine and surgery. The third year encompasses various fields such as pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry, public health, and a final-year internship, enabling our students to gain practical training in specialized areas. It is worth mentioning that we make annual revisions to our elective courses to align them with current needs. These courses aim to enhance students' psychological and psychosocial well-being while providing knowledge about contemporary issues. For instance, considering the ongoing pandemic, earthquakes, climate changes, and other challenges, we plan to integrate elective courses on topics like climate nursing and disaster nursing into our curriculum.
In addition to theoretical education, we place significant emphasis on practical applications. To this end, we have established a skills lab specifically designed for our first-year students. Furthermore, our simulation laboratory is currently being reinforced. Additionally, we collaborate with hospitals in various specialized areas and branch hospitals according to the different classes, ensuring that our students have ample opportunities for practical training. Moving forward, we aim to expand these collaboration areas even further.
Regarding graduation criteria, students must demonstrate proficiency in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills throughout the four-year education period. Successful completion of their internship, particularly in the fourth year, while fulfilling the required ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) enables them to graduate. Our nursing graduates enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities. I would like to emphasize that the nursing profession offers advantages not only within hospital settings but also in diverse fields.
Speaking of the opportunities available to our students, we have ERASMUS agreements in place. Through these agreements, we encourage our students to gain experience and participate in research projects in different countries. Furthermore, we collaborate on projects that support studies within the country. For instance, our students have been involved in TÜBİTAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) projects, where they work closely with advisors from each department to enhance their project experience prior to graduation. Additionally, we provide opportunities for our students to participate in congresses and symposiums. I would also like to highlight some notable achievements and awards received by our students. They have been recognized for their innovative and exemplary practices, particularly in the areas where technology and health intersect. Our students, including those from the Techno Health Club and other specialized clubs, continue to contribute to these initiatives.
Our department actively engages in national and international projects with the participation of our academic staff. Particularly in the field of child health, we have projects that serve as good practice models and receive support from TUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey). We also collaborate with the European Union and the International Ministry of Health, and currently have ongoing projects. The Nursing department not only excels in education but also contributes significantly to society through various social projects. We maintain a strong partnership with National Education Directorates in our locality for our social responsibility initiatives. Our graduates primarily find employment in hospitals, although there are abundant job opportunities beyond the hospital setting. Notably, some of our students have established companies in the techno-health sector, creating employment opportunities. Therefore, our nursing graduates have the flexibility to work in diverse fields based on both existing and self-created opportunities.Regarding the challenges and difficulties faced by our students during their studies, I must say that they encounter minimal difficulties. We have a dedicated academic staff and well-equipped facilities to address any challenges they may encounter. Although they may experience some excitement, especially during their first-year practical placements and laboratory work, it is more of an enthusiasm for the profession rather than a daunting challenge. Our teachers provide guidance and support in the practical application areas, ensuring that our students navigate this process without facing any significant issues. The essence of our profession lies in humanity, and at the core of humanity is love. To pursue a career in nursing, one must genuinely love and have a strong passion for this profession, as well as harbor love for oneself, others, and nature. In essence, nursing is a profession driven by love, despite its inherent difficulties. One of the reasons I particularly encourage you to choose our department is that our students not only achieve academic success but also find immense happiness in their chosen path. The decisions you make today are key to your future happiness. I wish good luck to all the aspiring young individuals taking the exam, and we hope to welcome you to the Nursing Department at Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Health Sciences.Istanbul Medeniyet University, Investigation of the Molecular Basis of Serine Metabolism in Cancer Cells Project, Associate Professor Burcu YÜCEL, Project Coordinator, Kadın, 02:35
Greetings! I am Associate Professor Burcu YÜCEL from the Department of Medical Biology at Istanbul Medeniyet University Faculty of Medicine. I would like to share details about my research project titled "Investigation of the molecular basis of serine metabolism in cancer cells," which is supported by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey), and of which I am the coordinator.
Cancer is a genetic disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation. Cancer cells have an increased demand for nutrients to support their rapid growth, and they undergo metabolic reprogramming to meet their energy needs. Glucose is the most commonly utilized nutrient by cancer cells, followed by amino acids. The molecular metabolism of non-essential and essential amino acids, which serve as crucial nutrient sources for cell proliferation, is an important research area that still requires further investigation.Within the framework of our TÜBİTAK-supported project, we are studying the genetic changes and differences in cell signaling systems that occur when cancer cells are deprived of serine and glycine amino acids. To accomplish this, we employ metabolomic analysis, the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method, and various biochemical and genetic techniques. The project involves the active participation of two graduate students who are supported by scholarships. The project's findings have the potential to be published internationally, and they contribute to the development of alternative cancer therapeutics through the discovery of new genetic mechanisms.Our research project is conducted at the Science and Advanced Technologies Research Center (BİLTAM), located on the North campus of our university. This state-of-the-art facility houses an experimental animal research laboratory, advanced technology equipment, a central research laboratory, and concept research laboratories. Our molecular research laboratory is part of this infrastructure, where we conduct our project.We warmly welcome aspiring students who are interested in conducting research in the field of cancer to join our university and explore exciting opportunities for academic and scientific growth. Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to your participation at Istanbul Medeniyet University.