Programme description for Master in Advanced Practice Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (2025–2027)

The learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and general competence that the candidate should have after completing the programme in advanced clinical general practice nursing and which ensures functional capacity and professionally sound nursing care for relevant patient groups.

The various areas of competence covered by the learning outcomes are outlined in the Regulations on National Guidelines for Master's Programmes in Advanced Clinical General Practice Nursing and include the following four areas:

- Clinical assessment, decision-making and action competences

- Health literacy, patient education and counselling

- Professional management and coordination

- Knowledge-based professional development, service improvement and innovation

After completing the master's program in advanced clinical general nursing, the candidate is expected to:

Knowledge

• has in-depth knowledge of the role and function of an advanced clinical general nurse

• has in-depth knowledge of central nursing scientific perspectives and concepts

• has in-depth knowledge of international research in advanced clinical nursing

• has advanced knowledge of pathophysiology, microbiology, disease theory and pharmacology

• has broad knowledge of how life situation, lifestyle and socio-economic conditions and linguistic and cultural background affect health, illness, treatment and nursing

• has in-depth knowledge of inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, in order to contribute to equal health and care services for all groups in society

• has advanced knowledge of systematic clinical examination methods and mapping tools

• has advanced knowledge of prevention, rehabilitation and palliative care

• has in-depth knowledge of the importance of health skills and how variations in health skills affect understanding of illness, disease management, coping and self-care

• has advanced knowledge of health pedagogy, teaching, guidance and interdisciplinary collaboration

• has in-depth knowledge of transitions in the patient course in order to contribute to increased patient safety

• has insight into quality development and professional leadership and coordination

• has insight into the organization of healthcare services and relevant legislation

• has in-depth knowledge of scientific theory, research methods and research ethics

• has in-depth knowledge of user participation in research, development and improvement work

Skills

can identify health problems in the current situation from a holistic perspective

• can work with patients and relatives to ensure that user participation is ensured

• can analyze and apply ethical theories and principles in professional practice

• can obtain data about the patient, carry out systematic and nursing relevant examinations and assess the state of health, as well as carry out a critical review of the medicinal treatment

• can identify, assess and implement advanced nursing care and treatment for health problems in both the stable and acute phase, in collaboration with other healthcare personnel

• can communicate about professional issues with other healthcare personnel and professional groups, in order to contribute to responsible and qualitatively good health and care services for patients

• can apply health education methods to teach and guide patients, users and relatives, adapted to their health skills to promote coping, function and quality of life

• can carry out an independent and limited research and development project

General competence

• can further develop and promote knowledge-based practice

• takes responsibility for own competence development to ensure a high quality in clinical practice

• can contribute to professionally responsible implementation and use of welfare technology and digital solutions

• can collaborate interdisciplinary to ensure efficient and holistic patient processes

• can contribute to new thinking, innovation and professional development to improve health and care services in general and nursing services in particular

The academic requirements for admission to the master's program include a bachelor's degree in nursing or an equivalent education of at least three years' duration (180 ECTS credits) and at least the equivalent of two years' relevant experience as an authorised nurse within the last six years.

Admission takes place in accordance with the Regulations for Admission to Studies and Courses at the University of Agder: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia

Learning approach

The programme is based on a sociocultural view of learning that emphasises learning as a shared activity and as a social practice. Learning requires the student to work independently, but at the same time learning also takes place in interaction with others, in a learning community that includes fellow students, teachers and others.

Forms of work

The programme emphasises the integration of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience and emphasises varied teaching and working methods and close follow-up of the individual student. Feedback is provided during the programme in the form of various evaluation interviews, several minor exams and the submission of assignments. Various forms of student-active methods are used, such as group work, seminars, reflection and counselling groups, skills training, simulation, practical studies and self-study. Lectures are also given. When working on the master's thesis, students participate in counselling groups and seminars. Particular emphasis is placed on progression in the work on the master's thesis, for example through presentation of the problem and choice of methods with feedback from fellow students and teachers.

Varied forms of assessment are used to ensure coherence with the various courses' learning outcomes and working methods and to ensure the integrity and quality of the programme.

Theoretical courses are assessed through school exams and home exams.

Practical studies are assessed in various formal conversations, which are described in detail in the course booklets for the master's programme. The formal conversation are conversations between the student, teacher and internship supervisor and are intended to provide an assessment of the student in relation to the learning outcomes achieved. Mandatory attendance of at least 90 per cent in practical studies is required, and examination requirements must be approved.

The master's thesis is assessed by internal and external examiners. The written thesis must be assessed to a passing grade before the candidate can present themselves for an oral, adjusting exam.

For more information about the grading scale and exam guidelines, see the Regulations for studies and exams at the University of Agder.

The nursing profession and nursing science are largely international, which is reflected in the knowledge base of the programme. Topics of an international nature are addressed in both years of the programme. In some of the courses, parts of the teaching may take place in English and literature in English is included.

The faculty of Health- and sport sciences facilitates student exchange through established mobility programs, such as Erasmus + and Nordplus, in addition to bilateral agreements with universities in countries outside the EU, such as in Africa, Australia, and the United States.

Students can apply to write their master's thesis in connection with the exchange programme. The Master’s programme is open to incoming students with study programmes with similar content and level.

Courses in the first semester must be passed before teaching and assessment in courses in the third semester. Courses in the second semester must be passed before teaching and assessment in courses in the fourth semester.

The courses Scientific Theory and Research Methods, Design and Analysis must be passed before the student can receive supervision on the master's thesis. All courses must be passed before the master's thesis can be submitted.

A written project plan for the master's degree project must be submitted during the second semester of the programme. Work on the master's thesis cannot begin until the project plan has been approved. The project plan must follow the guidelines described in the master's handbook.

Otherwise, please see the individual course description.

The expertise of a nurse with a master's degree in advanced clinical general nursing is relevant to a number of services in municipal health and care services. Relevant workplaces may include home care services, municipal acute inpatient units, nursing homes and other municipal institutions, various municipal teams (response teams, specialised teams such as palliative care, dementia), emergency services, etc. Other relevant work includes teaching, research, professional development in the health services or academic positions at universities and university colleges, as well as management positions.

The programme qualifies for admission to doctoral studies.

The theoretical component is divided between Kristiansand and Grimstad. The clinical studies are conducted in collaboration with the healthcare services in the region.

In order to participate in clinical studies, students must fill out a declaration regaring MRSA and tuberculosis. If the practice location requires it, the student must take and document an MRSA examination and/ or TB test. More detailed information will be given at the start of the semester. Please see the information about medical requirements and vaccinations here: https://www.uia.no/om-uia/fakultet/fakultet-for-helse-og-idrettsvitenskap/medisinske-krav-og-vaksinasjon.

Students must also present a clean police record when they are admitted to the programme. Notes on the certificate may prevent students from participating in practical training or clinical teaching.

In the programme, students are continuously assessed for suitability throughout the programme. This is part of an overall assessment of the student's professional and personal suitability to work as a healthcare professional. It is important that you as a student are aware of and familiarise yourself with this. You can find further information about suitability assessments here: https://www.uia.no/studier/for-studenter/administrer-dine-studier/skikkethetsvurdering.html

All students at UiA are required to have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, cf. Regulations on Studies and Examinations at the University of Agder § 12d.