As part of the 100th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of our Republic, our University’s Nursing Faculty Career Planning Commission and Career Planning Application and Research Center, in collaboration, organized a “Career Day Event in Nursing.”

The opening program of the event which was held in the Mimar Kemaleddin Hall, was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız, Dean of the Nursing Faculty Prof. Dr. Sultan Ayaz Alkaya, Director of the Career Planning Application and Research Center Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusuf Günaydın, faculty members, and students.

The program, which began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, featured a speech by the Chair of the Career Planning Committee, Lecturer Merve Işık, during the opening. She expressed that they planned this event with great excitement and pleasure, aiming for students to feel satisfied.

Işık stated that they invited experts from various fields for students who have short time to graduate. They aimed to give valuable insights to students through conversation and to make connections with representatives from specialized hospitals and institutions for students.

She concluded by saying, “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our event, especially our Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız, with the hope that by the end of the day, our students will leave with valuable information and useful job connections.”

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Sultan Ayaz Alkaya, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, emphasized the importance of career planning during the educational process. He highlighted that effective career planning is crucial for securing a job after graduation, developing skills relevant to the chosen field, and adapting more easily to professional life.

Prof. Dr. Sultan Ayaz Alkaya addressed the students, saying, “As future nurses, you are fundamentally responsible for career planning. To be more effective and satisfied in your professional life, you need to understand what awaits you in the future, where you see yourself, and guide your career accordingly. We have trained you through the courses you have taken during your education to help you identify your goals and take your first steps.”

Prof. Dr.  Sultan Ayaz Alkaya emphasized that they would continue to do their best on behalf of the Faculty of Nursing to increase students' awareness and help them establish effective connections. He pointed out that this event was an opportunity to chart a roadmap with valuable guests working in different environments and to make new job connections. Prof. Dr. Sultan Ayaz Alkaya highlighted the event as a significant opportunity for the future nurses and concluded, “I hope this event will be enjoyable, educational, and beneficial for you. I would like to thank our Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız, as well as the Director and team of KAPUM, and all the faculty members who contributed to organizing this event.”

In his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız stated that, as Gazi University, they continuously make every effort to provide the best academic education for students while also guiding them in their career development. He emphasized the valuable work carried out by the university's Career Planning Application and Research Center and took the opportunity to thank the Center’s Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusuf Günaydın, and his team.

Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız highlighted that the Faculty of Nursing’s distinguished teaching staff contributes significantly to students' development not only through their educational activities but also by organizing seminars, symposiums, conferences, research projects, and student group activities. He noted that these efforts help ensure that students are well-equipped both academically and for their careers.

Continuing his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız addressed the students, saying, “You will graduate as professional members of a university whose mission is to develop individuals who can lead society, respect national, spiritual, cultural, and human values, and contribute to lifelong education and development through pioneering research, generating, sharing, and applying knowledge. I wholeheartedly believe that, in your career paths after graduation, you will uphold this mission and represent our university in the best possible way.”

Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız concluded his speech by saying, “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to organizing the program, especially our Dean Prof. Dr. Sultan Ayaz Alkaya, our dear speakers, and all the participants. I wish you, dear nursing students, success in your career journey.”

Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Hülya Bulut, a faculty member of the Nursing Faculty, presented a talk on "Career Journey," sharing examples from education and professional life to illustrate the career process in the nursing profession.

Prof. Dr. Hülya Bulut noted that nursing in Turkey is celebrating its 100th anniversary, having grown alongside the establishment of the Republic. Although nursing as a profession began in Turkey in the 1850s with Florence Nightingale, its institutional development progressed significantly during the Republic era. Bulut emphasized, “Career choice is not solely your decision; it is also a process influenced by your family, environment, and circumstances.” She highlighted that nursing is a lifelong career journey that begins with education. Prof. Dr. Hülya Bulut stressed that nursing is not just a profession concerned with patient care but also involves roles in management, care, and research, impacting public health through these services.

The first session of the Nursing Career Day event concluded with a talk by Arzu Özdemir, Assistant Director of Hospital Services at Gazi University Hospital. In her speech, Özdemir said: “To be a nurse who researches, thinks, and develops, our knowledge is our strength in our professional life, which we will reinforce with field practices and experiences after our four years of education. We should always make efforts to reach the highest standards and be the best in our areas of work. Approaching our work with a sense of 'we' rather than 'I' will lead us to success’’

The “Nursing Career Day” program, which continued throughout the day in four sessions, concluded with career talks by experts from leading healthcare organizations, hospital presentations, and Q&A and interview sections organized for students.