January 7, 2024
The Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) announced on Thursday that its International School in English will now offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Beginning in the Fall 2024 semester, the new degree will consist of a high-level nursing curriculum and also 1.5 years of Ulpan (Hebrew language courses) specifically designed to better understand medical terminology. Afterwards, students will be integrated into JCT’s prestigious Selma Jelinek School of Nursing where they will take clinical classes in Hebrew.
JCT’s Selma Jelinek School of Nursing currently serves more than 1,200 students annually. It is widely considered the top nursing program in the country, having received the Health Ministry’s National Prize for Excellence, and ranking first among 24 nursing departments nationwide.
The four-year curriculum includes theoretical studies and clinical experience in various nursing fields. The theoretical studies include courses in the basic sciences, social sciences, foundations of the nursing profession and advanced courses. Practical studies take place in leading medical centers in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.
The nursing program’s curriculum expands proficiencies in areas such as applying research and data to clinical care and decision-making; leadership; comprehensive and dynamic treatment planning for health needs; patient-centered care; pain relief and the preservation of patients’ quality of life, epidemiology and public health; and the intersection of philosophy, ethics, law and Halachah (Jewish law) in the field of nursing.
The new degree is a direct response to the popular demand for nursing particularly for observant Jewish women. Graduates of the program can work in any medical and health institutions across the country, institutions for treating chronic patients, nursing homes, community health institutions, academia and more.
Rabbi Shlomo Anapolle, Director of JCT’s International Program, said, “JCT is answering the call from Jewish women around the world who are eager to break into this field in Israel. Now, thanks to this program, they’ll be able to enroll in the country’s top nursing school, and not have to be Hebrew proficient to do so.”
He continued, “The vision of JCT is to drive change throughout Israel and across the globe. This launch furthers JCT’s reach and expands our ability to have our students realize their academic and professional goals.”
On a national level, the new program will also help the school alleviate the nursing shortage across the country. Israeli hospitals and clinics have only five nurses per 1,000 people. While this is a slight increase from the reported 4.7 in 2010, it is still far below the average seen in OECD countries which boast roughly 9.4 nurses per 1,000 people. This challenge has only worsened since the Iron Swords War, where thousands of Israelis are injured and many of its staff have been called up for reserve duty.
Dr. Ahuva Spitz, head of JCT’s Selma Jelinek School of Nursing said, “With Israel at war, this is an excellent opportunity for those in English-speaking countries who want to come to Israel and work in a field that is valuable and important – now more than ever. We’ve recruited a staff of English-speaking faculty who are eager to help Anglo students acclimate to Israeli society and immerse themselves in the world of nursing.”
After announcing its new engineering degree in English earlier this year, the new nursing degree highlights another option for International School students who are not Hebrew proficient. This new approach offers students affordable options to enter into fields in Israel that are in high demand that will ensure employment after graduation.
