Degree programme in Nursing: G10Nurse

Description

The title of the graduating students of Degree Programme in Nursing is Bachelor of Health Care. The degree is comparable with equivalent degrees in other EU countries. Bachelors of Health Care are authorised by National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs. The extent of the Degree Programme in Nursing is 210 credits (cr) and the education lasts for 3.5 years.

Eligibility

Competences developed
The core competences in nursing and health care include knowledge and practical skills like observation skills that include the ability to analyse and interpret the gained information for sound decision making embracing basic nursing as well as different specialised areas. Bachelors of Health Care are required to have information management, professional communication and language skills as well as readiness to lifelong learning. Nurses’ professional competence is based on an information base which embraces both nursing science and other disciplines.

Professional status
Bachelors of Health Care or registered nurses assist, guide, support and rehabilitate people in different age groups. They help people to cope and to adapt to illnesses, disabilities as well as death. As experts in the nursing field they implement and develop nursing that promotes and maintains health, prevents illnesses and improves the healing process. They act as experts in multiprofessional work groups using their managerial skills.

The education enables the nurse to act flexibly in the changing work environments of primary health care and specialised nursing sectors as well as in private organisations and in the third sector.

Structure of degree programme and key contents
The degree programme is implemented according to the legislation concerning polytechnics and it consists of core studies, professional studies, bachelor’s thesis and elective studies.

On-the-job learning / clinical training (75 cr) is an essential part of the professional studies and growth supported by the theoretical studies. On-the-job learning takes place in different types of health care settings which have a clinical training agreement with the polytechnic. Hospitals and other clinical training places are required to provide higher education level supervision during the clinical training.

Key contents of the degree programme are studies in basic nursing, public health, women’s health, mental health, paediatric nursing, perioperative nursing, gerontological nursing, and medical-surgical nursing.

Teaching methods
The studies are implemented according to an investigative and critical work approach. Students learn to produce practical information both for professional use and to enhance the wellbeing of patients and their significant others. The aim of the clinical training is to familiarise the students with the different areas of nursing and health care in key practical duties from the viewpoint of the professional studies. Part of the studies may also be completed in international student exchange.

Structure of Degree Programme in Nursing | Curriculum
Common core studies 10 cr
Professional studies 178 cr
-including clinical training 75 cr
Bachelor’s thesis 15 cr
Elective studies 7 cr
In total 210 cr

Learning outcomes and aims of programme / academic year
After the first academic year, students can act in the polytechnic learning and operating environment and know their degree programme and future profession in the health care system. Students gain competence in observation skills, collection of data, documentation and analysis and interpretation of information.

They are able to carry out the basic procedures and treatments. Students gain the knowledge and skills needed for sound decision-making. Students know nurses´ responsibilities for the patient’s medical treatment, and they are able to dispense medication. They manage medical calculations. They know how to function in different first aid situations and they are able to carry out basic life support.

Students learn to recognise and anticipate both the possible health problems of individuals as well as the society. Students know the Finnish health care system. They are able to take the different cultures into account. When taking care of patients / clients they act according to the national / international values and principles prevailing in health care and in accordance with the national regulations and laws.

After the second academic year, students develop their nursing skills in different fields of nursing like medical and surgical nursing as well as in public health care and elderly care. They are able to assess the needs of patients in different age groups, and they are able to plan, implement and evaluate the care together with the patients and their significant others. Students are able to act as primary nurses and support patients in the process. Students monitor their learning process and have the ability to develop themselves in their profession and professional growth.

After the third academic year, students furthermore deepen their knowledge in different fields of nursing like mental health, and perioperative nursing. Especially during the last year, they deepen their administrative skills and their knowledge and skills in medical-surgical nursing. They learn to use research and theoretical knowledge to support their ambitions when developing and evaluating their own work. Students focus on the target areas of nursing when selecting the topic for their bachelor’s thesis

After the fourth academic year, students have become more proficient as providers and developers of nursing. They have strengthened their professional identity and nursing expertise in the health care of medical-surgical patients. Students have adopted a research-oriented approach when making their bachelor´s thesis and it can be seen as a progressive approach in their future professional work.