Bachelor's Programme in Nursing

Study programme code BACSPL

ECTS credits 180

Admission requirements Higher Education Entrance Qualification or approved practical experience.

General description and profile of the programme The Bachelor´s Programme in Nursing is based on the National curriculum regulations for nursing programmes, laid down on 25 January 2008 by the Ministry of Education and Research. The Bachelor programme in nursing at University of Agder aims at educating professionally competent, responsible and independent nurses who have a personal involvement in their profession. This means a patient and innovative practitioner with the ability and will to perform nursing in a conscious and reflective manner. The students´ knowledge and operational competence are developed through teaching activities based on research and professional experience. This is achieved through a collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the field of nursing. The students may be invited to contribute to research and development projects at the University and in their field of practice. As part of a wider initiative at the Faculty of Health and Sport, the Bachelor´s Programme in Nursing will emphasise perspectives in public health that are relevant to the programme. It will particularly focus on knowledge about living conditions and behavioural habits that promote physical and mental health. Profession and Occupation Nursing is a profession with a scientific theoretical basis and a strong association to the field of practice. The professional aspect is based on humanistic values. Professional ethical guidelines for nurses state that the basis of all nursing must be respect for individual human life and its inherent dignity, and all nursing is to be based on compassion, care and respect for basic human rights. Nursing is directed towards people who have been exposed to illness and injury, people with chronic illnesses and loss of bodily functions, sick and healthy people in need of care as well as those individuals who are highly exposed to health risks. A nurse must attend to the complete individual in accordance with that person´s environment. Both the patient's own experience and the nurse's evaluation of the patient´s current situation form the basis of nursing. A nurse's task is to support, promote, protect and/or replace the individual's care for himself, doing so in such a manner that it makes the individual capable of optimal self-care. This means helping the patient achieve independence, living with his illness/loss of bodily functions or experiencing a peaceful death. The Bachelor´s Programme in Nursing comprises 180 ECTS credits. According to the National curriculum regulations, credits are allocated as follows: 90 credits related to theory 90 credits related to practical training of which: 75 credits cover interaction with patients and next of kin 15 credits cover student exercises, preparation for and reflection upon the students´ practical training.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes On successful completion of the programme, nursing candidates should: have acquired the ability to meet the diverse requirements of community health services and institutional health services, for specialisation by practicing professionally secure nursing have developed the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes within nursing to meet the needs of patients, their relatives and society possess knowledge of how illness influences the individual, and the significance of illness for the individual's quality of life, hope, well-being and ability to cope have an understanding of various problems, ability to apply methods, research results and theories within various thematic areas in nursing sciences, natural sciences and social sciences be able to work for prevention and health promotion by focusing on habits and living conditions which promote health

Teaching methods View of knowledge and learning The study programme focuses on creating educational and learning opportunities that promote lifelong learning. Learning implies active participation in a learning community that emphasises openness, security, participation, independence and a sense of community. The study programme has been designed to create educational and learning opportunities which develop students´ ability to reflect upon and critically evaluate their own working methods in light of theoretical and practical knowledge. This is done to communicate research results that document practical knowledge, and it requires active cooperation with practice sites and the research and professional development work taking place, for example through research projects in progress. Various instructional forms are used: lectures, individual guidance, problem-based learning, group work and project work, role play, demonstrations, clinics and skills development in training wards. Practical studies take place in the community health services and on hospital wards. Students must make use of Fronter, which is the university´s information and interactive system. The health sector´s use of ICT is increasing, and there are requirements stating that the students must possess a basic level of computer knowledge. Focus will be placed on special types of knowledge regarding electronic documentation of nursing and quality assurance of nursing services. Language of instruction is Norwegian, but practical courses in fourth and fifth semester may be offered in English. English literature will be prepared for English speaking students.

Assessment methods Assessment of suitability Since autumn 2006 nursing students have been assessed with regard to suitability, please refer to Regulations relating to suitability in higher education ("Forskrift om skikkethetsvurdering i høyere utdanning") under the provisions of the Act relating to universities and colleges ("lov om universiteter og høyskoler") see section 4-10, subsection 6). There will be a continuous assessment of the student´s suitability. The assessment will be based on a variety of criteria and supplemented by individual appraisal. Whenever there is doubt regarding the suitability of the student, the student will be given a close follow-up. Practical studies Students may be assigned to practice locations throughout the whole Agder region. On average the students will have 30 working hours a week. If at any time during a period of guided practice there is doubt as to whether or not the student will pass the practice period, the student must be given written notice of this as soon as possible (at the latest 3 weeks before the end of the practice period). This action will not prevent the student receiving a mark of fail for a guided practice period if acceptable work does not take place during the final three weeks of the period. Work (course) requirements Requirements regarding compulsory participation and specific examination requirements are outlined in the course descriptions. Projects related to practice are included in all three academic years. Attendance Compulsory attendance is required in all practical training and skills development, as well as some of the group studies throughout all three academic years. All specified requirements related to examination or practice are compulsory. Requirements regarding compulsory participation and specific examination requirements are outlined in the course descriptions. A rate of 90 % attendance is required in practical training as well as in preparations and reflections regarding practical training. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements may not be allowed to take the examination or may be deemed to fail their practical training course, unless the absence can be compensated by the completion of additional course requirements. Please consult the Academic and Examination Regulations for the University of Agder, under section 12b, Compulsory instruction, for further details. Examination At-school examination, home examination, project, and assessment of practical studies. Please refer to Regulations regarding study programmes and examinations at University of Agder ('Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved Universitetet i Agder'). Curriculum The curriculum comprises approximately 10,000 pages. The university may make alterations to the curriculum during the course of the study programme. For further information please refer to the curriculum outline listed in the course descriptions.

Student exchange The faculty is internationally engaged through agreements with institutions of higher education in the Nordic countries, in Europe and also elsewhere. Please refer to the faculty´s web-pages and to the International Department for further information.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme Students must have passed all the first-year examinations in order to take a second-year examination. Students must have passed all the second-year examinations in order to take a third-year examination. Please consult the prerequisites for each course in the course descriptions for further details.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies The study programme qualifies for employment in all areas of the health sector in specialised and community health services (both public and private). The programme qualifies for a number of study programmes at the levels of master programme and further education at colleges and universities, within nursing and interdisciplinary fields.

Qualification awarded Completion of the study programme awards the graduates a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing which qualifies for authorisation as nurses upon application.

Other information Students must be prepared to cover all or parts of travel and living expenses during the completion of their practice periods. They must also cover expenses related to the purchase of certain instructional materials, for example work attire. When admitted as students a police certificate of good conduct must be presented. Annotations may lead to exclusion from practical studies. The students must be examined for MRSA, and possibly verify a tuberculosis test before admittance to practical studies (if prior three-month visit to certain countries). Experience-based practical training in preventative health services, pregnancy and post-natal care and paediatric nursing will be introduced for all first and second year students as from the academic year 2009/10. The programme description is scheduled for further revision. Amendments may be made from the academic year 2010/11 that will affect all students admitted from 2008 onwards.

Contact person Study programme coordinator Marthe M. F. Fensli (marthe.m.fensli@uia.no)