Prof. Dr. Zuzana Slezáková, Faculty of Nursing and Professional Health Studies Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Professor Zuzana Slezáková is a prominent leader in nursing education and healthcare management in Slovakia. As Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Professional Health Studies at the Slovak Medical University in Bratislava, she has played a pivotal role in advancing academic nursing programs at both Master’s and Doctoral levels. With over four decades in the profession, she has evolved from practicing nurse to esteemed professor, academic leader, and policy advisor. Her work emphasizes quality assurance, patient safety, and evidence-based nursing practice. She has authored 17 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to international health conferences, and served on multiple editorial boards and accreditation bodies. Prof. Slezáková is also a vital liaison with the Slovak Accreditation Agency and chairs several national committees that shape vocational and higher education curricula. Her influence continues to elevate nursing science, management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, both nationally and internationally.
🔷Profiles
🎓 Education
Professor Zuzana Slezáková has an extensive academic background in nursing and healthcare management. She earned her nursing qualification (1978–1982) and a Master’s degree in nursing (1987–1991), which laid the foundation for her professional journey. Her specialization in internal medicine nursing (1996–1999) was followed by doctoral studies, earning her a PhDr. in Nursing (2001–2004). In 2003–2004, she pursued specialist training in Public Health Management, further strengthening her leadership skills. She achieved the academic title of Associate Professor in 2008 and was promoted to full Professor in Nursing in 2018. Her qualifications reflect a lifelong commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and health education. Prof. Slezáková continues to influence nursing curricula design and national educational standards while fostering research-based practices and student mentoring.
💼 Experience
Professor Zuzana Slezáková has over 40 years of cumulative experience in nursing, academia, and leadership. She began her career as a clinical nurse, progressing into teaching and academic leadership roles. Currently serving as Dean at the Slovak Medical University’s Faculty of Nursing and Professional Health Studies, she also heads the Department of Nursing Theory and Management. She is the responsible authority for implementing and quality-assuring Master’s and PhD nursing programs and liaises with the Slovak Accreditation Agency. Her national influence includes roles as chairperson and member in government advisory councils, accreditation commissions, and examination boards. She has served as Secretary and Member of the Accreditation Commission for the Ministry of Health and Chair of the Committee for Nursing Professor Appointments. Prof. Slezáková’s contributions extend beyond academia into shaping national healthcare education policies, making her a cornerstone in Slovakia’s nursing education system.
🔬 Research Focus
Professor Slezáková’s research is rooted in nursing science, with a strong focus on nursing management, patient safety, public health education, and tele-nursing. She explores innovative nursing strategies that improve patient outcomes, health literacy, and care quality. Her most notable studies include the impact of tele-education post-cesarean care, leadership during COVID-19, and the assessment of coronary disease awareness using CADE-Q II tools. She also contributes to interdisciplinary studies, such as those investigating adolescent nutrition, microplastic exposure in infants, and vitamin deficiencies in youth. As a principal academic figure, she champions the integration of evidence-based practices into curricula and national healthcare strategies. Her work consistently emphasizes the nurse’s role in secondary prevention and personalized care, aiming to bridge knowledge gaps and improve patient engagement.
📚 Publication Top Notes
1. The impact of early mobilization through a tele-education program on health condition of mothers after caesarean section
Journal: Pielęgniarstwo XXI wieku (2024-12-27)
DOI: 10.2478/pielxxiw-2024-0041
Authors: Ľubica Libová et al., incl. Zuzana Slezáková
Summary: This study demonstrated how tele-education improves postnatal recovery and mobility in mothers after cesarean delivery, highlighting the benefits of digital nursing interventions.
2. An Overview of the Possible Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
Journal: Life (2024-03-12)
DOI: 10.3390/life14030371
Summary: Investigated the emerging issue of microplastic exposure in infants, offering insights into environmental health and the role of nursing in preventive care.
3. Impact of Leadership Style and Crisis Skills… COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal: Zdravotnicke Listy (2023)
EID: 2-s2.0-85161995123
Summary: Assessed how nurse managers’ leadership styles influenced work climate during the pandemic, underlining the need for strategic leadership training.
4. Possibilities of Using the CADE-Q II Questionnaire in Coronary Syndrome
Journal: Zdravotnicke Listy (2023)
EID: 2-s2.0-85174426067
Summary: Highlighted the potential of CADE-Q II to identify knowledge gaps in patients, supporting improved education strategies in secondary prevention.
5. Nursing care of a patient with a diabetic foot
Book: Diabetic Foot – A Vascular Surgeon’s Perspective (2023)
ISBN: 9798891130654
Summary: Detailed case-based nursing practices in diabetic foot care with a multidisciplinary outlook.
6. The relationship between unpleasant experiences… anesthesia
Journal: Kontakt (2023)
DOI: 10.32725/kont.2023.027
Summary: Explored correlations between anesthesia-related distress and patient demographics, advocating for improved perioperative communication.
7. Determination of Vitamin D, Iron… Adolescents
Journal: Central European Journal of Public Health (2022)
DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7048
Summary: Investigated dietary effects on vitamin and mineral levels in adolescents, with recommendations for public health interventions.
8. Implementation of telenursing in the Slovak Republic
Journal: Pielegniarstwo XXI Wieku (2021)
DOI: 10.2478/pielxxiw-2021-0028
Summary: Showcased successful integration of telenursing, establishing a blueprint for other health systems.
Conclusion
Professor Zuzana Slezáková exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated, impactful, and visionary academic leader in nursing research. Her contributions span education, policy, publication, and healthcare service improvement, with a proven track record in leading national reforms and producing patient-centered research.