Enhancing the Competencies of Primary Care Nurses

At the end of spring, from 27 to 29 May, we held the second intensive educational course in Zhytomyr to develop the competencies of nurses providing primary care services. The first such training took place in April this year at the Zhytomyr Medical Institute, with its support. The following healthcare facilities joined the second training:

• Primary Health Care Center No. 4 of Kryvyi Rih City Council
• Primary Health Care Center ‘Yuvileinyi’ of Rivne City Council
• Sniatynskyi Primary Health Care Center
• Primary Health Care Center No. 1 of Dniprovskyi District of Kyiv
• Primary Health Care Center of Zolotonosha City Council
• Buchanskyi Primary Health Care Center of Bucha City Council
• Children’s City Polyclinic No. 6 of Odesa City Council

During the training, nurses learned more about the content and successes of the pilot project and, of course, completed a series of important training sessions to improve their work. Our experienced trainers guided them through the process:

• Matvii Khrenov, co-founder of the Ukrainian Health Center (UHC) and advisor to the Minister of Health (2018–2020), provided participants with insights into the expanded role of nurses and leadership.
• Ihor Zastavnyi, co-founder and board member of the Ukrainian Academy of Family Medicine, as well as co-owner and physician at the family outpatient clinic “svoi.ridni,” helped participants refine their communication with patients and understand the application of psychosocial interventions.
• Oleksii Kovzhun, a communication trainer and media analyst, provided guidance on crisis communication skills.
• Anna Sokhan, a family doctor and peer group facilitator at “svoi.ridni,” deepened participants’ knowledge of managing common non-communicable chronic diseases.
• Antonina Mozharivska, Alla Varych, and Nataliia Slinchak, trainers from the Zhytomyr Medical Institute, led practical sessions on ECG analysis and emergency care.
• Additionally, participants learned how to use modern digital tools for their work and practiced otoscopy techniques.

This intensive course was part of a series of educational events aimed at strengthening the competencies of nurses in primary care. We are not stopping here and continue moving forward – with even more opportunities for learning and professional development ahead!