With her charismatic nature and a clear focus on the further development of nursing, Anja Kepplinger took up her new position as head of the master programme in Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) and the course in “Krankenhaushygiene” at IMC Krems in September 2024. Her goal: not only to give nursing a voice, but also to establish it in the Austrian scientific and healthcare landscape in the long term. With an extraordinary career and an impressive dedication to her profession, Kepplinger is a breath of fresh air in nursing education – and has a clear vision for the future of healthcare.
Press
“Giving nursing a voice”
Becoming a leader
Anja Kepplinger’s professional journey began in Wels, Upper Austria, where she graduated in nursing in 2010. Her career then took her to Unfallkinik Murnau at Lake Staffelsee in Germany, where she gained valuable experience in the intensive care unit. “It was an intense time, and I was able to learn an incredible amount,” she says. After returning to Austria, she continued her work in the intensive care unit in Linz before turning to an academic career.
Her enthusiasm for Advanced Nursing Practice is not only reflected in her education – Kepplinger completed both her bachelor and master degrees in ANP while working – but also in her teaching. She taught as a part-time lecturer during her studies and moved to IMC Krems as a full-time lecturer in 2021. The step to becoming programme director was therefore only a logical consequence of her continuous commitment and scientific ambitions.
Visions for the future: nursing as an independent profession
“My vision is to give students the tools to develop their own ANP role,” says Kepplinger emphatically. For her, there is no question that nursing must be given a greater say in Austria – both within healthcare institutions and at the political level. “It’s not just about voicing concerns, but also about being actively involved in decision-making,” she emphasises.
This concept of “employee voice” – the democratic inclusion of employees in organisational decision-making processes – is an important part of her research.
The special feature of the Advanced Nursing Practice programme
What makes the ANP master programme under Kepplinger’s leadership so unique? The answer lies in the practice-oriented approach, which is based on the internationally recognised HAMRIC model. “Students contribute their own areas of focus and develop their individual roles in the field of nursing,” Kepplinger explains. She firmly believes that students must be able to realise their own visions for the future of nursing. To this end, she relies on national and international partnerships to broaden her students’ horizons.
Another focus of her work is on strengthening research skills. “I want students to learn not only from national but also from international examples,” says Kepplinger. To this end, she plans to intensify cooperation with international partner universities and also offer students the opportunity to gain insights into the work of advanced practice nurses.
Research for tomorrow’s nursing
Kepplinger sees research as a crucial pillar in making nursing sustainable for the future. Her current PhD project, which deals with employee voice in long-term care, and the OMAHA project on co-determination in mobile care show how deeply she delves into the subject matter. “A constant curiosity to understand and question processes has led me to science,” she says.
In her publications, she addresses, among other things, the question of which possibilities for giving caregivers a stronger voice in the company are described in literature. For her, one thing is clear: nursing must establish itself as an independent profession and actively participate in improving healthcare.
Working with students: a learning process for both sides
Kepplinger’s enthusiasm for teaching is reflected in her interaction with students. “I am constantly learning with the students,” she says. For her, collaboration is a win-win situation that goes beyond the mere transfer of knowledge. Her goal is to encourage students to take responsibility and actively advocate for the rights and needs of their patients. “It’s about breaking new ground and making scientifically sound decisions,” she explains.
Balancing science and leisure
Although her life currently mainly consists of work, Anja Kepplinger finds relaxation in sports. “The rhythm of the crawl stroke in the water has a meditative effect on me,” she says. The mountains and the sea are places of strength for her, where she finds peace and draws inspiration for new ideas. She also trains for competitions on a regular basis, another sign of her discipline and stamina – qualities that she also demonstrates in her scientific career.
Looking to the future: giving nursing a strong voice
Anja Kepplinger is not only a charismatic leader, but also a thought leader for the future of nursing. With her focus on the further development of the profession and the active involvement of nursing staff at different organisational levels in decision-making processes, she is giving nursing a strong voice – nationally and internationally. Her goal is to work with students to overcome the challenges of healthcare and to make nursing one of the central pillars of the healthcare system. “I am looking forward to the challenge and will break new ground in many ways,” she summarises.
With Anja Kepplinger as Programme Director, the Advanced Nursing Practice programme in Krems is facing an exciting future – a future in which nursing will finally get the voice it deserves.