Tireless commitment to care in Germany

Christel Bienstein is a nursing pioneer from the very beginning: she headed the Institute of Nursing Science at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) from its foundation in 1994 until 2017 and is considered an outstanding personality in nursing and nursing science in Germany. For her numerous and urgently needed impulses in society, nursing practice and research, she was awarded an honorary doctorship at the UW/H on 1 September.

"Prof. Bienstein's sparkling energy, combined with political skill and an almost infectious creative drive, have made a significant contribution to the development of nursing science in Germany into an important and recognised discipline," said Prof. Dr Martin Butzlaff, President of the UW/H, explaining the reasons for the award.

The laudatory speech was given by Professor Margareta Halek, who today heads the School of Nursing Science at the UW/H and has been associated with Christel Bienstein for many years. Margareta Halek has known her predecessor from the very beginning: the former geriatric nurse was one of the 28 participants in the first semester of the programme in 1996.

"Making practice the subject of research, taking up questions from carers, questioning rituals - that's what Christel Bienstein stands for. This made nursing science tangible and perceptible for me and other nurses, and Ms Bienstein was able to convince many of the benefits of the academisation of nursing," said Halek.

Role model and inspiration

Due to the pandemic, the celebration took place on a small scale, but many of Christel Bienstein's companions sent digital greetings or joined the livestream online.

For example, Andreas Westerfellhaus, the Federal Government Commissioner for Nursing, sent his greetings and emphasised how much Ms Bienstein had shaped, promoted, challenged and developed nursing care: "You are certainly a role model and inspiration for many," said Westerfellhaus.

Christel Bienstein was moved by the many congratulations and the award: "It is a great honour for me that the UW/H has bestowed this honour on me. But the honour does not belong to me alone. Other pioneers have contributed with their ideas to the fact that our department has this status today and is so strong in research. I have always had many supporters throughout the university - from the secretariat to the scientific department."