Background and Goals: In an era marked by the increasing complexity of professional tasks, the need for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is more pressing than ever. While the World Health Organization has advocated for IPC since the 1970s, its implementation has largely been limited to direct healthcare settings. The research project Nursing meets Design aimed to bridge this gap by preparing nursing and design students for collaborative work through problem-based, interdisciplinary learning. The project's focal point was the creation of a Social Awareness Campaign to improve the public perception of nursing, along with deriving implications for interdisciplinary learning across various courses and departments.

Research Questions and Methodology: Two key research questions guided our approach:
1. How can the perspectives of nursing and design students be effectively integrated into a Social Awareness Campaign?
2. How does this integration impact interprofessional collaboration outcomes in both students' education and their future careers?

The project employed a participatory, problem-based, and transdisciplinary methodology, involving students, instructors, and community members. Through discussions on the self-image of nursing and external perceptions, a shared understanding was established. This "common ground" became the foundation for the Social Image Campaign, bringing the campaign to life through a collaborative effort that visually represented nursing students by design students.

Impact and Key Takeaways: The developed campaign became the embodiment of interdisciplinary collaboration, a tool with lasting impact. It helps the public understand the complexities of nursing, fosters professional identity and performance, and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. This project underscores the need to create conducive conditions for interdisciplinary collaboration and to harmonize departmental logic, curricula, and learning infrastructures. It illustrates that interprofessional collaboration is integral to comprehensive education and innovative problem-solving, challenging traditional educational paradigms to prepare students for future complexities.

For more information visit the project website: www.ichbinpflege.info