Region Blekinge has raised serious concerns about a nursing student from Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) who was assessed as presenting patient-dangerous deficiencies during clinical practice. According to reports, the student had failed two practical training periods (VFU) when Region Blekinge alerted BTH at the beginning of the term.
The regional healthcare authority identified multiple deficiencies in the student's performance, including issues with calculating medication dosages, conducting examinations, and handling medical equipment in a patient-safe manner. These shortcomings were assessed by Region Blekinge as potentially dangerous to patients.
We take this very seriously. We have an obligation to report when we see deficiencies, and it's important that our assessments are taken seriously.
"We take this very seriously," said Caroline Boltenberg, HR Director at Region Blekinge. "We have an obligation to report when we see deficiencies, and it's important that our assessments are taken seriously."
Despite the regional authority's assessment, BTH approved the student's application for a third attempt at the practical training. Terese Lindberg, head of the health department at BTH, stated that "every examination opportunity is a learning opportunity. You learn something each time, which is positive."
every examination opportunity is a learning opportunity. You learn something each time, which is positive.
The case has prompted a crisis meeting between Region Blekinge and BTH to review their collaboration. Meanwhile, former BTH nursing students have expressed concerns about the quality of current students, with one graduate stating that "sometimes the quality is frighteningly low" among students on clinical placements.
BTH's annual report notes that increasing numbers of students struggle with Swedish and mathematics, and performance in medical subjects has declined in recent years, leading to additional teaching interventions.
sometimes the quality is frighteningly low