Ann-Christin von Vogelsang appointed new Head of the Divison of Nursing
On 1 May, Ann Christin von Vogelsang will assume the role of Head of the Divisionof Nursing at NVS. She sees the assignment as both rewarding and demanding and highlights the importance of education, research, and good working conditions.
“It feels exciting and challenging,” says Ann‑Christin von Vogelsang. “But I approach this assignment with great humility.”
She describes the division as central to nursing education in Stockholm and emphasizes the importance of stable conditions.
“The division is important for nurses in Stockholm. It is essential that it is well managed with good conditions for conducting high‑quality education and research.”
Aiming to drive development in line with KI and society
What Ann‑Christin finds most exciting is the opportunity to help shape the future direction.
“I want to help drive development forward, in line with society and the trends at KI,” she says. “At the same time, it is important to stand up for the department’s needs.”
She highlights education and research as central parts of the assignment.
“It’s about maintaining high‑quality education and preserving our position in nursing research.”
Big financial challenges
One of the biggest challenges is the financial situation.
“It’s not just about an operating deficit, but about understanding the entire financial picture and allocation of resources,” she says. “How can we make the best of the existing conditions? That’s how I want to work.”
She also emphasizes the importance of sustainable leadership.
“It has to be an attractive workplace, so that we can both recruit new colleagues and encourage people to stay.”
Solid experience from healthcare, research, and education
Ann‑Christin von Vogelsang has extensive experience in leadership roles within nursing. She has previously worked as a nursing lead at theme level at the Karolinska University Hospital, focusing primarily on research and development.
She earned her PhD in 2012 at NVS and has since held various roles at KI, including research coordinator at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience. Since February 2025, she is a senior lecturer at NVS, and holds a joint position with the Karolinska University Hospital.
“I will continue with my joint position, largely focused on issues related to research and education,” she explains.
Ann‑Christin is a specialist nurse in perioperative care and has previously worked clinically in the operating theatre. This summer, however, she will be working on a ward as a nursing resource.
“I believe it’s important for my credibility as a teacher to know what is happening in clinical practice,” she says.
She also plans to continue with some teaching.
“It’s also important that I lecture and stay in contact with students for my credibility as head of division,” Ann‑Christin continues. “We educate nurses and specialist nurses for clinical care, and it’s important that I don’t become too detached from that.”
Research focused on diseases of the nervous system
Her own research has several directions but primarily concerns nursing care for diseases of the nervous system, within neurosurgery and neurology. Another line of research focuses on missed nursing care, both in inpatient care and perioperative care.
“The main common denominator in my research is diseases of the nervous system,” she says. Her doctoral thesis focused on intracranial aneurysms, which is the patient group she has primarily studied.
She is currently the principal supervisor for three doctoral students. One is researching microbiological air cleanliness in operating rooms, another is studying risks and experiences of positioning‑related injuries on the operating table, and the third is newly enrolled at NVS this spring, with a focus on delirium in neurosurgical and neurological inpatient care.
Ann‑Christin has served as a clinical expert in a regional program area (RPO) for diseases in the nervous system, and has also been a member of the Stockholm–Gotland medical advisory board, as well as an expert for the National Board of Health and Welfare in investigations into highly specialized care.
“I’ve had my fingers in many pies, and the common denominator has always been diseases of the nervous system,” says Ann‑Christin.
Excercising to keep up with a high pace
Ann‑Christin, informally known as Anki, also finds time for leisure.
In her spare time, she exercises frequently and in varied ways to keep up with a high pace. This includes strength training and running, as well as spinning and swimming. She also enjoys spending time with her family, which includes children, grandchildren, and her husband.
“And I read a lot, preferably crime novels and fast‑paced thrillers, to unwind from work,” she says.