Programme description for Public Health Nursing, master’s program (2024–2026)

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has advanced knowledge of concepts and theories within public health nursing
• has in-depth knowledge of public health nursing phenomena in society in general, and can identify and analyze factors that can improve the quality of public health nursing services
• has advanced knowledge of health promotion and prevention work at population-, group- and individual level within the field of public health nursing
• has in-depth knowledge of work methods in the health stations, the school health services, and the health services for adolescents
• can apply knowledge of technology's possibilities and limitations in the health services

Skills

The candidate:

• can use relevant methods to understand, motivate, and interact with users of the health station and the school health services
• can conduct systematic assessments of the needs of the users
• can analyze relevant theories, methods, and interpretations within public health nursing and work knowledge-based with practical and theoretical problem solving
• can independently initiate and carry out development- and quality-improving projects within public health nursing
• can conduct an independent, delimited work of research

General competence

The candidate:

• can assess and justify various forms of guidance in interaction at population-, group- and individual level, from a health promotion and prevention perspective
• can participate in and stimulate interdisciplinary and inter-agency collaboration
• can contribute to innovation and new ideas within interdisciplinary and inter-agency collaboration
• can engage in health policy development in society
• can analyze professional and profession-and research ethical issues

The academic basis for admission to the master's program is a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent education of at least three years' duration (180 ECTS credits) and a minimum of one year's seniority as a licensed nurse in a full-time position (100%).

The admission requirements are established based on the Regulations of national guidelines for Public Health Nursing education

https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-04-09-1146. Admission takes place in accordance with the Regulations of admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder, https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2021-11-24-3370?q=uia

The study program in public health nursing aims to qualify candidates who can engage in health-promoting, (disease-)preventive, and change-oriented work at individual-, group-, system- and societal level. The study program is practice-oriented and research-based and is intended to meet society's demands for equitable and knowledge-based services. Upon completion of education, the candidate should be able to contribute to a sustainable development of the health service in line with demographic, social, environmental, and technological changes.

The primary target group for the public health nurse's work consists of children, young people, and their families. The study program should enable candidates to promote choices of good health, achievement, and quality of life while contributing to the early identification of maldevelopment, neglect, and illness. A public health nurse should be able to initiate measures of change and refer elsewhere when needed. The study should contribute to ensure that candidates have key roles in the municipality's work with public health and infectious disease control and can be a premise provider within health policy and healthcare.

Upon completion of the education, candidates should be able to contribute to the development of equitable service offerings. This involves being able to work in a culturally sensitive manner and ensure adapted linguistic and cultural services.

After completing the program, candidates should be able to take responsibility for and make independent, systematic clinical assessments, priorities, and decisions. Candidates should also participate in ensuring quality and user participation. Furthermore, candidates should be able to critically evaluate change work and change their own practice when appropriate. Candidates should contribute to create safe relationships through communication, guidance, and interdisciplinary cooperation. This requires the exercise of professional discretion in accordance with ethical guidelines, including an awareness of power.

The master's thesis is a central part of the study and is an independent scientific work within public health nursing, where the student must use relevant research and can contribute to research- and professional development work.

The program is based on the Regulation of national guidelines for public health nursing education, established by the Ministry of Education and Research.

In the master's program, opportunities for academic development are provided so the students can develop professional competence and identity as a public health nurse during their studies. The program emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge and clinical experience and emphasizes a variety of teaching and learning methods.

A wide range of learning and teaching methods are used to learn practical and theoretical knowledge, both in campus-based and practical studies. Various forms of student-active methods and lectures are used, including extensive use of group work, internships, simulation, role-play, exercises, and mandatory submission of assignments (individual and in groups).

By meeting as responsible participants of their own learning, a learning environment is facilitated, characterized by a social and academic fellowship between students, teachers and practice supervisors.

In clinical studies, the focus will be on functional ability and competence of taking action in relation to the public health nurse's responsibilities. Students are expected to develop competence in knowledge-based practice. The practical studies are supervised in the sense that each student is followed up by a practice supervisor at the practice site and by a practice teacher from the university.

Various forms of assessment are used to ensure coherence with the learning outcomes and teaching methods of the different subjects, and to ensure overall quality in the education.

Theoretical subjects are assessed through school examinations or home examinations, either individually or in groups.

Clinical studies are assessed through various formal discussions, which are described in detail in the course materials for the master's program. The formal discussions are discussions between the student, the teacher, and the practice supervisor and aim to provide an assessment of the student in relation to the learning outcomes. There is a requirement for mandatory attendance of at least 90% and approved work requirements before clinical studies can be approved.

The written master's thesis has graded assessment ( grading scale A-F), and the thesis must be assessed as passed before the student can defend the thesis orally. The grade may be adjusted after the oral examination.

For more information about the grading scale and guidelines for exams, see the Regulations for Studies and Examinations at the University of Agder:https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2005-06-22-833.

The Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences facilitates student exchange through established mobility programs such as Erasmus+ and Nordplus, as well as through bilateral agreements with universities in countries outside the EU, such as Africa, Australia, and the USA. Exchange can take place in connection with the completion of the master's thesis, but it can also be facilitated at other times. Students can participate in the International Certificate of Learning (CIL) program.

The main language of instruction is Norwegian. In some courses, parts of the teaching may be conducted in English, and English literature is included in the curriculum.

All courses must be passed before work on the master's thesis can begin.

For further information, please see the individual course descriptions.

A written project plan for the master's degree project must be approved before work on the master's thesis can begin. The project plan must follow the guidelines described in the master's manual.

The master’s degree program (120 credits) in public health nursing qualifies graduates to work with health promotion and prevention for children, adolescents, and families, as well as network- and environmental work. Other relevant jobs include positions in teaching, professional development, or leadership.

The master’s degree qualifies for admission to doctoral studies.

Students who complete the program without completing the master's thesis meet the requirements for employment as a public health nurse.

The teaching of theory may be held in both Kristiansand and Grimstad. The clinical studies are carried out in collaboration with the municipal health services in the region.

Before participating in clinical studies, students must fill out a self-declaration form regarding MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and tuberculosis. If the practice site's guidelines require it, the student must undergo and document MRSA and/or tuberculosis testing. Further information about the requirements is published here: https://www.uia.no/om-uia/fakultet/fakultet-for-helse-og-idrettsvitenskap/medisinske-krav-og-vaksinasjon

Students must present a police certificate of conduct upon admission to the program. Notes on the certificate may prevent students from participating in practical training or clinical teaching.

It is a requirement that all students at UiA have their own portable computer (laptop) for use in teaching and examinations, see Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §12d