NERS NEWS – Surabaya – The Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga (Unair), once again reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening graduates’ readiness to enter the workforce through the organization of the Employer Meeting: Synergy of Alumni and Partners in Advancing Professional Nursing Careers and the Development of Nursepreneurs. This event serves as a strategic forum that brings together academics, alumni, and various healthcare partners in a collaborative setting to formulate directions for developing nursing graduates’ careers that are adaptive, innovative, and globally competitive.
This activity was organized by the Employer Peer List (EPL) Team of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, consisting of Dr. Sriyono, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.M.B., Herdina Mariyanti, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Ph.D., and Ns. Teguh Dwi Saputro, S.Kep., M.Kep. In its implementation, the EPL Team was supported by an organizing committee composed of lecturers, educational staff, and representatives of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga (IKA FKp Unair), who played an important role in ensuring the success of the entire series of activities, from the planning and coordination stages to the on-site execution.
The event, which took place in a warm and enthusiastic academic atmosphere, began with an opening by the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Prof. Dr. Yuni Sufyanti Arief, S.Kp., M.Kes. In her remarks, she emphasized that the increasingly complex challenges of the workforce require educational institutions not to work in isolation, but to build strong networks with alumni and employer partners.
According to her, the synergy that is built not only impacts the improvement of graduate quality, but also contributes to strengthening the image and visibility of the Faculty of Nursing at both national and international levels.“ This collaboration serves as an important bridge to ensure that the curriculum we develop remains relevant to industry needs, while also opening wider career opportunities for graduates,” she stated.
Furthermore, she also highlighted the importance of the role of alumni as a tangible representation of the quality of education provided. Alumni who succeed in the workforce, both at the local and global levels, serve as indicators as well as promoters of the institution’s reputation. Therefore, the involvement of alumni in forums like this is considered highly strategic in providing input based on real-world experience.
The next remarks were delivered by the Secretary of the Career Development and Alumni Center (PPKA) of Universitas Airlangga, Lastiko Endi Rahmantyo, S.S., M.Hum. In his presentation, he emphasized the importance of employer reputation as one of the key indicators in improving Universitas Airlangga’s position in global rankings.
He explained that the perception of the workforce toward graduates greatly determines the institution’s competitiveness at the international level. Therefore, building strong relationships with graduate employers, such as hospitals, healthcare institutions, and professional organizations, is a strategic step that cannot be overlooked.
“An Employer Meeting like this is not merely a networking forum, but a long-term investment in building the trust of the workforce in the quality of our graduates,” he explained. He also added that feedback from partners is very important in the process of evaluating and developing a curriculum that is based on industry needs.
Entering the main session, participants received an inspiring presentation from Prof. Dr. M. Hasinuddin, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep with the topic “Success Story of Professional Nurses: Building a Career, Upholding HEART and Values, Strengthening Meaning.” In his presentation, he invited participants to view the nursing profession not only from technical and clinical aspects, but also from the dimensions of values, empathy, and human meaning.
He emphasized that the success of a nurse is not only measured by clinical skills, but also by the ability to maintain integrity, build therapeutic relationships with patients, and provide care that is oriented toward human values. The concept of “HEART” presented became an important reflection for nurses in carrying out professional practice in a holistic manner.
“Being a professional nurse is about how we are able to bring meaningful impact, not just complete tasks. When heart, values, and competence are in balance, that is when the true meaning of this profession is truly felt,” he stated.
In addition, he also encouraged nurses to continuously develop themselves, not only in clinical pathways but also in the fields of innovation and health entrepreneurship. The concept of nursepreneur becomes one of the opportunities that nursing graduates can develop to respond to the increasingly diverse needs of society.
This event also brought together various alumni and stakeholders from a wide range of healthcare institutions, ranging from regional hospitals and national hospitals to international networks. The presence of these practitioners not only enriched the perspectives in the discussion but also opened up opportunities for real collaboration in the development of graduates’ careers.
In the discussion and sharing session, partners provided various insights regarding the competencies required in today’s workforce, including communication skills, technological adaptability, and professionalism in nursing practice. They also emphasized the importance of soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and professional ethics as key factors determining success in the field.
One important point that emerged was the need for integration between academic-based education and more contextual practical experience. This is expected to prepare graduates who are not only job-ready, but also capable of growing and innovating amid the dynamics of the healthcare system.
In addition to serving as a forum for exchanging ideas, this event also functioned as a platform to strengthen professional networks between the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, and various partner institutions. This synergy is expected to continue in the form of concrete collaborations, such as internship programs, graduate recruitment, collaborative research, and the development of nursing-based entrepreneurship programs.
Through the implementation of this event, the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga has demonstrated a concrete step in addressing global challenges in the healthcare sector. Through strong collaboration between academics, alumni, and partners, it is expected that Unair nursing graduates will not only excel in competence, but also possess strong character, values, and vision in delivering meaningful healthcare services.
In the future, similar activities are expected to be carried out continuously as part of the institution’s strategy to create an educational ecosystem that is responsive, collaborative, and future-oriented.Thus, nurses are not only healthcare professionals, but also agents of change who are able to make meaningful contributions to society, the nation, and the world.
Writer: Aziz Nashiruddin Habibie S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep.
Editor: Nandyta Putri Rahmadhani (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
