Department of Nursing care

Academic Staff

Professor Daniela Taneva, PhD – Head of Department

Professor Gergana Petrova, PhD

Associate professor Snezhana Dragusheva, PhD – Coordinator for Academic Affairs and E-Learning

Chief Assistant Professor Elena Merdzhanova – Coordinator for Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Chief Assistant Professor Okean Kostov, PhD

Chief Assistant Professor Diana Paskaleva, PhD – Coordinator for Department Website Management

Chief Assistant Professor Marieta Todorova, PhD – Administrative Assistant, Coordinator for Research Activities

Chief Assistant Professor Valentina Lalova, PhD

Lecturer Nedyalka Boycheva, PhD – Coordinator for International Cooperation and Project Activities

Yordanka Tsokova, PhD

Senior lecturer Tsvetomila Valcheva

Senior lecturer Yovka Zlatanova – Coordinator for Occupational Health and Safety, Coordinator for Fire Safety

Lecturer Daniela Kantareva – Deputy Coordinator of “Measurement and Observation Resources”

Lecturer Svetla Ivanova

Lecturer Margarita Papazova

Lecturer Veselina Stefanova Bukova – Coordinator for Postgraduate Education

Lecturer Maria Stefanova Stamova – Georgieva – Coordinator of “Measurement and Observation Resources”, Materially Responsible Person (MRP)

Assistant Professor Vasilka Todorova Gyurova-Kancheva

Lecturer Lilia Dimitrova Georgieva

Assistant professor Maria Blagoeva Vangelova

Research

Main areas of research conducted by the academic staff:

• demography and family planning;
• health promotion, health education, and training;
• interactive and simulation-based training for medical students;
• contemporary aspects of medical pedagogy and quality of education;
• professional development of healthcare specialists;
• trends in continuing education for nurses;
• prevention of socially significant diseases;
• nursing care for geriatric patients;
• physical activity, physical development, and health behavior in adolescents;
• nursing activities in resuscitation and intensive care;
• the role of the nurse in surgical care;
• specific nursing care for patients with various health problems;
• history of nursing;
• cross-cultural communication, social rehabilitation, and habilitation of disadvantaged individuals, etc.

Between 2021 and 2026, faculty members from the department have published over 140 articles in Bulgarian and international academic journals, as well as 126 research papers at national and international academic conferences. Some of the research papers have been published in the following scientific journals: Management and Education, Nursing, Health Management, Nursing Reports, Health Educational Journal, Scripta Periodica, Folia Medica, Biomedical Research, Journal of IMAB, Medical Science Pulse, Knowledge – International Journal, and others.
Faculty members from the department actively participate in intra-university, national, and international projects with European funding. Students majoring in nursing also actively participate in these projects. Several faculty members have participated in the National Program “Young Scientists and Postdoctoral Researchers.”
As part of the “Program for Strategic Research and Innovation for the Development of MU-Plovdiv,” a project led by Prof. D. Taneva, MD, is being implemented: “Digitization of Nursing Care through the Implementation of an Electronic Nursing Record.” The main objective of the project is the implementation of an electronic nursing record, which will lead to an improvement in the quality of healthcare. The platform being developed has the potential to become the first integrated solution that combines education, practice, and innovation in a unified digital environment.
A team from the department, led by Prof. G. Petrova, MD, participated in three international projects related to children’s mental health and work in a multicultural environment: “Interdisciplinarity, Multiculturalism, and Working with Patients in Non-Standard Situations in the Context of Teaching Medical and Health Sciences in Medical Simulation Centers”; “Multiprofessional Development and Practices in Higher Education Institutions Promoting Mental Health and Well-being in Schools”; “Safe Care for Children Prone to Violence in Healthcare Facilities and at Home” /Safe4Child/. The results of the projects have been published in international journals with a high impact factor.

Textbooks

1. Taneva D, Paskaleva D, Tsokova Y, Todorova M, Kostov O, Dragusheva S, et al. Philosophy and introduction to nursing : Test questions for nurses and Healthcare specialists: In 2 p.. Plovdiv: MU – Plovdiv; 2024-.

2. Taylor C, Lillis C, LeMone P. Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1989. p. 1356 p. ISBN: 0-397-54659-9.

3. Taylor C, Lillis C, LeMone P. Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care: Test bank. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1989. p. 374 p. ISBN: 0-397-54751X.

4. Ellis J, Hartley C. Nursing in today`s world: Challenges, issues and trends. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company; 1988. p. 449 p. ISBN: 0-397-54696-3.

5. Billings D, Stokes L. Medical-surgical Nursing: Common health problems of adults and children across the life span. St. Louis: Mosby; 1982. p. 1440 p., 713ill. ISBN: 0-8016-0736-1.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/edited-volume/9780323999939/shaping-nursing-healthcare-policy

https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/edited-volume/9780081012826/the-intersection

https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/monograph/9780128169773/measuring-capacity-to-care-using-nursing-data

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2559472667/bookReader?accountid=38849

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2608285170/6376E4747BE349E1PQ/28?accountid=38849&sourcetype=Books

https://www.proquest.com/docview/2460799429/94BE49F705534D5BPQ/16?accountid=38849&sourcetype=Books

https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=295216929&bookid=3558&Resultclick=2#1214340271

Publications

1. Kostadinov K, Goodwin J, Groen G, Jörns Presentati A, Heffernan S, O’Donovan Á, O’Malley M, Biskupovic Goulding R, O’Mahony J, Allen S, Curtin M, Haapalainen S, Aho J, Petrova G, Ivanova S, Lalova V, Korhonen J Virtual Reality–Enhanced Training for Trauma-Informed Care Among Residential and Child Mental Health Professionals: Pre-Post Evaluation Study JMIR Med Educ 2026;12:e86543 URL: https://mededu.jmir.org/2026/1/e86543

2. Goodwin J, O’Malley M, O’Donovan A, Allen S, Curtin M, Goulding R, Groen G, Heffernan S, Ivanova S, Korhonen J, Jörns-Presentati A, Kostadinov K, Lalova V, O’Mahony J, Petrova G, Vainio V, Lahti M. Staff Experiences of Working with Children and Adolescents Engaging in Behaviours That Challenge in Mental Health and Paediatric Inpatient Environments: A Qualitative Exploratory Study across Four European Countries. Child Care in Practice 2025. Vol 31; (3): 380-400. DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2024.2407085

3. Korhonen J, Lahti M, Kostadinov K, Erjavec K, Istomina N, Ivanova S, Lagiou, A, Lalova V, Makutien M, Notara V, Ollikkala H, Petrova G, Sakellari E, Sukyte D, Laaksonen C. Fostering Mental Health Literacy Among Primary School Professionals: Evaluating the Impact of an Online Training Program ‘Well@School’. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025. Vol. 22; (3): 435. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030435.

4. Groen G, Jörns-Presentati A, Goodwin J, Petrova G, O‘Donovan A, Kostadinov K, Haapalainen S, Korhonen J. Safe4Child Trauma-informed approaches to support staff working with children and adolescents exhibiting behaviours that challenge. e. STANDPUNKT : SOZIAL. Internationale Kooperationen des Departments Soziale Arbeit S. 2025. Vol. 35; (1): 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15460/spsoz.2025.35.1.240

5. Еvtimova K, Petrova G, Doynovska R. Cultural competence of the nurse as an integrative component in strategic management of health care-a literature review. IMAB 2025;

6. Bukova V, Todorova M, Boycheva N. ACCESS TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH SLEEP APNEA. Journal of IMAB 2025; 31(Suppl-V):pp.103-pp.107

7. Bukova V, Todorova M, Taneva D,Kirkova – Bogdanova A. DIETARY PATTERN AS A RISK FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS IN WOMEN OF BULGARIAN AND ROMA ETHNICITY. Journal of IMAB 2025; 31(Suppl-V):pp.103-pp.107

8. Merdzhanova Е, Lalova V. Student awareness of artificial intelligence as a factor for academic and professional preparation. Journal of IMAB 2025; 31(Suppl-V).

9. Dragusheva S., Uchikov P. Motivation for professional development: postgraduate specialisation of students majoring In “Nursing”. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology 2025; 26: (4): 1610–1617.

10. Dragusheva S, Obreykova M. Motives of healthcare student specialists for training high school students in first aid. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology 2025; 26:(7): 2779–2785.

11. Boycheva, N., Velichkova, M. The role of the family in fostering healthy sleep habits among preschool-aged children from the Roma community. Nursing, 2025, vol. 57, № 4.

12. Boycheva, N., Velichkova, M. “Living Healthily” – A Technological Model for Parent Engagement. Nursing, 2025, vol. 57, № 4.

13. Gyurova-Kancheva V, Taneva D, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Bozov H. Patient assessment of the role of nurses in the treatment of diabetic foot using hyperbaric oxygen. Nursing 2025 (3):49-55.

14. Paskaleva D, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Taneva D, Gyurova-Kancheva V, Zlatanova Y. ATTITUDES TOWARD THE USE OF ELECTRONIC NURSING RECORDS AMONG PRACTICING NURSES – A PILOT STUDY. Bulgarian Journal of Public Health 2025:17 (3):36-46.

15. Gyurova-KanchevaV, Taneva D, Paskaleva D, Zlatanova Y, Kirkova-Bogdanova A. Translation and validation of NANDA-I in Bulgaria: steps towards standardization of nursing diagnostics. Journal of IMAB 2025; 31(Suppl-V).

16. Stoilova S, Taneva D, Geneva-Popova M Treatment with biologics of patients with inflammatory joint diseases. Pharmacia 71:7. (2024) https://doi.org/10.3897/pharmacia.71.e132252

17. Uchikov P, Ali N, Sandeva M, Kraev K, Eneva K, Hristov B, Kraeva M, Dzhambazova E, Taneva D, Tenchev T, Uchikov A (2024) Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid disease: a nine-year single-center experience. Folia Medica 66(5): 653-661. https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.66.e134503

18. Taneva D, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Todorova M, Bukova V (2024) An osteoporosis knowledge assessment instrument – development and validation. Folia Medica 66 (2): 264-268. https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.66.e120535

19. Uchikov, P.; Khalid, U.; Kraev, K.; Hristov, B.; Kraeva, M.; Tenchev, T.; Chakarov, D.; Sandeva, M.; Dragusheva, S.; Taneva, D.; et al. Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review. Diagnostics 2024, 14, 528. (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14050528

20. Khalid U,Uchikov P,Hristov B,Kraev K,Koleva-Ivanova M,Kraeva M, Batashki A, Taneva D, Doykov M, Uchikov A. Surgical Innovations in Tracheal Reconstruction: A Review on Synthetic Material Fabrication Medicina, 2024; 60, 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60010040

21. Baltadjiev A, Merdzhanova E, Boyadjiev N, Angelova P, Raycheva R, Lalova V, Petrova G. Children somatotype study of different ethnic groups from Plovdiv region, Bulgaria.J of IMAB. 2024 Jan-Mar;30(1):5381-5386. https://doi.org/10.5272/jimab.2024301.5381

22. Tarnovska M, Petrova G, Avramova – Bakalova E. Hesitanges about COVID-19 vaccination among students, teachers and parents. J of IMAB. 2024 Jul-Sep; 30(3):5611-5618. https://doi.org/10.5272/jimab.2024303.5611

23. Harizanova Z, Popova F, Baltadjiev A, Petrova G, Yordanova M, Petleshkova T. Estimation of canine dimensions as predictors of sex in the southern Bulgarian population. J of IMAB. 2024 Jul-Sep;30 (3): 5733-5737. https://doi.org/10.5272/jimab.2024303.5733

24. Petleshkova P., Krasteva M., Pacheva I., Dragusheva S., Ruseva M., Petkova V., Kilova K. Arnica D30 – an alternative for managing procedural pain in full-term neonates. Pharmacia 2024; 71:1-9.

25. 10.Uchikov P., Kraeva M., Kraev K., Hristov B., Chakarov D., Ali N., Stefanov C., Mollova-Kyosebekirova A., Tenchev T., Dragusheva S., Dzhambazova E., Dobreva B. Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis in Healthy Young Adults: The Fatal Consequence of the Delayed Help. Reports 2024;7(2),40. https://doi.org/10.3390/ reports7020040

26. Uchikov P., Khalid U., Vankov N., Kraeva M., Kraev K., Hristov B., Sandeva M., Dragusheva S., Chakarov D., Petrov P., Dobreva-Yatseva B., Novakov I. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. Diagnostics 2024; 14(10),1004. https://doi.org/10.3390/

27. Kraev K., Uchikov P., Hristov B.,Kraeva M., Basheva‐Kraeva Y., Popova‐Belova S., Sandeva M., Chakarov D., Dragusheva S., Geneva‐Popova M. Coexistence of ankylosing spondylitis and Behçet’s disease: Successful treatment with upadacitinib. Immun Inflamm Dis. 2024; 12(4):e1242. https://doi.org/10.1002/iid3.1242

28. Dragusheva S. Challenges of E-learning in medical education of students-healthcare specialists of in conditions of COVID-19. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology. 2024; 25(6):2156 – 2164; ISSN 1311-5065

29. Imirski, M, Paskaleva, D. Nurses role in caring for a patient with Fournier’s. Gangrene. Journal of IMAB. 2024;30(2):5579-5582.

30. Taneva D., Gyurova-Kancheva V., Kirkova-Bogdanova A., Paskaleva D., Zlatanova Y. Electronic nursing record- Importance for Nursing and Benefits of Implementing it in Health Information Systems- a scoping review. Scoping Review. Nursing Reports, 14(4), 3585-3605. https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/14/4/262

31. Goodwin J, O’Malley M, O’Donovan A, Allen S, Curtin M, Goulding R, Groen G, Heffernan S, Ivanova S, Korhonen J, Jörns-Presentati A, Kostadinov K, Lalova V, O’Mahony J, Petrova G, Vainio V, Lahti M. Staff Experiences of Working with Children and Adolescents Engaging in Behaviours That Challenge in Mental Health and Paediatric Inpatient Environments: A Qualitative Exploratory Study across Four European Countries. Child Care in Practice, 2024; 1-21. DOI:10.1080/13575279.2024.2407085

32. Paskaleva D. Dental Problems in Adult Patients on Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Global Scientific and Academic Research Journal of Dentistry and Oral Medicine 2024, Vol.1,Issue 8, pp.5-7. ISSN: 2584-2382.

33. Kelly P, Saab M, Hurley E, Heffernan S, Goodwin J, Mulud Z, Malley M, Mahony J, Curtin M, Groen G, Ivanova S, Jorns‑Presentati A, Korhonen J, Kostadinov K, Lahti M, Lalova V, Petrova G, Donovan A. Trauma Informed Interventions to Reduce Seclusion, Restraint and Restrictive Practices Amongst Staff Caring for Children and Adolescents with Challenging Behaviours: A Systematic Review. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma 2023; Vol 16 (1): 629-647. DOI: 10.1007/s40653-023-00524-2.

34. Lahti M, Korhonen J, Sakellari E, Notara V, Lagiou A, Fatkulina N, Grublinskiene J, Makutiene M, Sukyte D, Erjavec K, Petrova G, Lalova V, Ivanova S, Laaksonen C. Competences for promoting mental health in primary school. Health Educational Journal 2023; Vol. 82 (5): 529-541. https://doi.org/10.1177/00178969231173270.

35. Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Taneva D, Sandeva M. Healthcare Students’ Experience and Evaluation of the Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Medical University – Plovdiv. TEM Journal, 2023; 12(2): 1166-1173. DOI: 10.18421/TEM122-62

36. Vakrilova Becheva M, Kirkova-Bogdanova A, Atanasov P., Chaneva M., Taneva D., Ivanova S. Monitoring the change in the quality of life of patients with post-COVID syndrome by influence on their functional status. Pharmacia, 2023; 70(4):1111-1117. https://pharmacia.pensoft.net/article/113061/

37. Taneva D, Paskaleva D, Gyurova-Kancheva V. Nursing education in some European Higher Education Area (EHEA) member countries: comparative analysis. Iran J Public Health, 2023;Vol. 52 (7):1418-1427. DOI:10.18502/ijph.v52i7.13243

38. Taneva D., Kirkova-Bogdanova A., Vladimirova M., Katsarska R., Vakrilova Becheva M. A comparative analysis of the sexual culture and behavior of nursing students from the Medical University of Plovdiv in the period 2009-2019. Folia Medica, 2023; 65(3): 476-481. https://foliamedica.bg/article/83315/

39. Stoilova S., Geneva-Popova M., Taneva D. Accessibility to and awareness of rheumatology care provided by a nurse – a pilot study expand article info. Folia Medica, 2023; 65(2): 235-242. https://foliamedica.bg/article/79717/

40. Kraev K, Geneva-Popova M, Hristov B, Uchikov P, Belova-Popova S,Kraeva M, Basheva-Kraeva Y, Stoyanova N, Mitkova-Hristova V, Koleva-Ivanova M, Taneva D, Ivanov A. Examining the Safety Profile of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors in the Management of Immune-Mediated Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Life, 2023; 13, 2244. https://DOI:10.3390/life131222445

41. Kostadinov R, Topalov V, Papazova M. Information communication technologies in support to pre-hospital healthcare, MEDIS – Medical Science and Research, 2023, 2(2), 15-18. https://doi.org/10.35120/medisij020215k

42. Kirkova-Bogdanova A., Taneva D., Vakrilova Becheva M. Attitudes to technologies in healthcare training before and after the pandemic at Medical University – Plovdiv, Bulgaria. EDULEARN23 Proceedings, 2023: 255-258.

43. Taneva D., Vladimirova M., Kirkova-Bogdanova A. From the university to the workplace – love at first sight or deliberate choice? EDULEARN23 Proceedings, 2023: 630-633.

44. Paskaleva D, Gyurova-Kancheva V, Kacarova S, Pilichev B, Kostov O, Bozhkova M, Penkov D. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as the treatment of prolonged hypoxemia due to COVID-19. J of IMAB. 2023 Oct-Dec;29(4):5150-5153 https://www.journal-imab-bg.org/en/vol-29-issue-4.html

45. Paskaleva D, Semerdjieva M. Post-Covid syndrome after the acute infection among patients who visited a Pulmonologist. Journal of IMAB. 2023 Oct-Dec; 29(4):5226-5229. DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2023294.5226

Monographs

Snezhana Dragusheva. Nursing Education in Bulgaria: Past, Present, and Future. Laks Book Publishing House, 2024. ISBN 978-619-189-269-3.

Diana Paskaleva. Perspectives on Geriatric Care and Professional Development of Nurses in Bulgaria, Europe, and the World. 2024, Plovdiv. ISBN 978-954-517-335-6

Valentina Lalova. Protocols for Healthcare in Intensive Care Units. Plovdiv 2024. ISBN 978-619-189-240-2

Okean Kostov. Diabetic Foot: What We Need to Know. 2022. AUTOPRINT Publishing House. ISBN 978-619-7205-30-5

Snezhanka Dragusheva. Contemporary Trends in Postgraduate Education for Nurses. LAX BOOK Publishing House. Plovdiv; 2021. ISBN 978-619-189-177-1

Daniela Taneva. Comparative Analysis of the Sexual Culture and Behavior of Nursing Students at MU – Plovdiv during the Period 2008–2018. 2020, Laksbook. ISBN 978-619-189-143-6.

Petrova, G. Challenges Facing Nurses in the Process of Health Promotion. 2020. Plovdiv: Macros; 258. ISBN 978-954-561-522-1.

Merjanova, E. Characteristics of Physical Development in Adolescents in the City of Plovdiv. 2020, Plovdiv. Laxbook.

Dissertations

Boycheva N. Formation of health skills and habits in children from the Roma community. MU-Plovdiv, Faculty of Public Health, 2026.

Lalova V. Optimizing the work of nurses in the intensive care unit through healthcare protocols and evaluation of their effectiveness. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2019.

Merdzhanova E. Physical Development and Health Behavior of Adolescents (Ages 11–14) in the City of Plovdiv. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2019.

Todorova M. The Influence of Certain Personality Factors on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2018.

Paskaleva D. Nursing Care for Hospitalized Geriatric Patients – Key Aspects and Challenges. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2018.

Dragusheva S. Development of Professional Competence in Future Nurses During Pre-Graduation Internships. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2017.

Tsokova, Y. Determinants of the professional development of nurses at the Medical University – Plovdiv. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2017.

Kostov O. Medical and Social Aspects of Nursing Care for Patients with Diabetic Foot. Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Sofia, 2017.

Taneva D. Sexual Culture, Sexual Behavior, and Family Planning Among Students at the Medical College of Plovdiv. MU-Plovdiv, Higher Attestation Commission, Sofia, 2010.

Petrova, G. Organizational and Management Aspects of Undergraduate Education in Health Care. Medical University of Sofia, Higher Attestation Commission, Sofia, 2009.