Nursing Programme, 180 Credits

Entry Requirements

General entry requirements and Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c, Science Studies 2, Civics 1b or 1a1+1a2

Degree

After completing the programme, the student can upon application obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing in accordance with the local degree description established by the vice-chancellor.

Description of the education for current education cycle

First-cycle studies shall essentially build on the knowledge the students obtain at national or specially designed programmes in upper-secondary school or equivalent knowledge.

First-cycle studies shall develop the students

• ability to make independent and critical judgements,
• ability to independently distinguish, formulate and solve problems, and
• preparedness to encounter changes in working life.

Within the area to which the programme pertains, in addition to knowledge and skills, the students shall develop the ability to

• search for and evaluate knowledge at a scientific level,
• follow the development of knowledge, and
• also exchange knowledge with people without specialist knowledge in the field.

National goals for current degree

For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student must demonstrate such knowledge and skill as is required for qualification as a nurse.

Knowledge and understanding
For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• knowledge of the area's disciplinary foundation and awareness of current research and development work as well as knowledge of the connection between science and proven experience and its significance to professional practice,
• knowledge in planning, management and coordination of the care and health work,
• knowledge of the conditions in society that affect children's, women's and men's health,
• knowledge of men's violence against women and in close relationships
• knowledge of relevant statutes.

Skills and abilities
For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• an ability to independently and in collaboration with the patient and relatives identify care needs, prepare a nursing plan and provide care and treatment,
• an ability to handle medication in an adequate manner and be able to inform the patient of the effects and side-effects of the medications,
• an ability to identify needs for and implement health-promoting and illness-prevention work,
• an ability to initiate method improvement and quality assurance,
• an ability to apply his or her knowledge to handle various situations, phenomena and issues based on the needs of individuals and groups,
• an ability to inform and teach various groups and to implement supervising tasks,
• an ability to orally and in writing present and discuss measures and treatment results with the parties involved and document them in accordance with relevant statutes,
• an aptitude for teamwork and collaboration with other professional groups, and
• an ability to critically examine, assess and use relevant information and discuss new facts, phenomena and issues with various target groups and thereby contribute to the development of the profession and the activities.

Evaluation ability and approach
For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• self-awareness and empathetic ability,
• an ability to make action judgements with a holistic view of the person based on relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, with particular consideration of human rights,
• an aptitude for a professional approach to patients and their relatives, and
• an ability to identify his or her need for further knowledge and to continuously develop his or her competence.

Independent studies (degree thesis)
For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student shall have completed independent studies (a degree thesis) comprising at least 15 credits within the scope of the course requirements.

National objectives for the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing
Knowledge and understanding
For the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the field's disciplinary foundation, knowledge of applicable methods in the field, specialisation in some part of the field and orientation in current research issues.

Skills and abilities
For the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• an ability to seek, gather, evaluate and critically interpret relevant information in a problem formulation and critically discuss phenomena, issues and situations,
• an ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems and carry out assignments within given time frames,
• an ability to orally and in writing present an account of and discuss information, problems and solutions in dialogue with various groups, and
• such skill as is required to independently work in the field to which the degree programme pertains.

Evaluation ability and approach
For the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing, the student shall demonstrate

• an ability to make assessments with reference to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects within the main field of study,
• insight into the role of knowledge in society and of people's responsibility for how it is used, and
• an ability to identify the need for further knowledge and to develop his or her expertise.

Independent studies (degree thesis)
For the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Nursing, the student shall have completed independent studies (a degree thesis) comprising at least 15 credits in the main field of study within the scope of the course requirements.

Local goals for current degree

For the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student shall

• based on the main field of study's theoretical frame of reference be able to describe, understand and explain nursing's dimensions and complexity in various situations, phases of life and contexts
• understand the nurse's role and function with regard to development of the professional role, with regard to digitalisation, use of technology and procedures in relation to person-centred care.

Examination format

Examinations entail an assessment of the student's achievements and constitute a basis for grading. The assessment takes place through written, oral and practical tests. Written and oral exams are done online or in a testing room/classroom. Exams shall be designed so that an individual assessment of the student's achievements is possible. The exam formats are presented by the respective course syllabi. For further information, see the Rules for grading and examination at the first and second cycles established by the Vice-Chancellor, and what is stated in the course syllabi.

Grades

Grades are set on completed courses. A two-grade grading scale is used: pass (G) or fail (U).

Transfer of Credits

Students can apply for a credit transfer in respect of the entire or a part of the course based on previously completed education or professional activities. Rejections of credit transfer applications in whole or in part must be justified in writing. Appeals against rejections of credit transfer applications should be submitted to the Higher Education Appeals Board. For more information, please contact Studentcentrum/Examina.

General

The programme is organised as an educational programme with full-time studies and comprises 180 credits, including theoretical studies and internship. The programme is conducted as on-campus teaching or as distance education.

On-campus education is conducted at the study venue, i.e. the city in which the student has been admitted to the programme. Internship in a total of 32 weeks is done within the agreement areas of the department/faculty where guaranteed admission can be provided, Västerbotten and parts of Västernorrland.

Distance education is partly net-based education. On two to four occasions per semester, physical meetings are held in the city in which the student was admitted to the programme. Internship in a total of 32 weeks is done within the agreement areas of the department/faculty where guaranteed admission can be provided, Västerbotten and parts of Västernorrland.

A model for nursing is included as a theoretical frame of reference in the programme's courses. The studies are characterised by active knowledge seeking, problem solving and reflection to an increasing complexity. The working methods vary between individual work, work in study groups, method and communication exercises, simulation exercises, seminars and lectures. The working methods promote integration between theoretical and clinical knowledge. The theoretical studies contribute to providing structure to the clinical studies and the clinical studies form a basis for analysis, reworking and discussion of theoretical issues. In connection with internship, the department's teachers, students, clinical supervisors and principal supervisors collaborate where they are on planning, content, implementation and follow-up. Occupational supervision linked to the clinical studies is provided where talks about the student's experience from various nursing situations aims to develop professional and personal competence. During internship, the student follows the times held in the operations, which may entail evenings, weekends and possibly nights.

The content of the courses consistently builds on scientific knowledge and experience. Intersectionality is also consistently addressed, meaning age, gender, class and transcultural aspects, such as local, regional, national and international perspectives of health/illness. The student has a possibility to place part of the programme in a different country. Studies abroad are seen as a significant experience in the future occupational function. Studies abroad is preferably conducted during semester 4, 5 and 6.

Programme overview - the programme's thematisation and core courses
A student who attends the programme is guaranteed admission to the core courses that are held in the scope of the programme. The course syllabi present the entry requirements applicable for each course.
The three-year programme has a built-in subject and educational progression, where a development from fundamental subject knowledge and methodology to increased complexity and specialisation in nursing takes place. This development comprises both the academic subject and the profession. The progression is expressed in and operationalised through the programme's themes: the Foundations and methods of nursing (year 1), Nursing in various phases of life (year 2), and Nursing in various contexts (year 3).

The theme of the Foundations and methods of nursing focuses on developing knowledge about nursing's foundations, its methods and craft, its bearing concepts and central issues and phenomena. The theme of Nursing in various phases of life focuses on developing complex and specific knowledge of nursing in various ages and phases with a focus on maintaining health and combating illness and disease based on specific needs. The theme of Nursing in various contexts in year 3 focuses on consolidating the two previous years' learning and developing skills in relation to various settings and situations as well as organisation and leadership. Nursing based on the model for nursing and the nursing process are problemised and operationalised in all of the themes above.

The core courses included comprise:

Year 1 - 60 credits Foundation and methods of nursing    
The Nursing Profession - introduction, 6 credits
The Body and Nursing Care,13.5 credits
Biomedicine and Nursing Care, 10.5 credits
Nursing Care - Concepts and Theoretical Framework, 15 credits  
Nursing Care - Procedures and Skills, 15 credits
    
Year 2 - 60 credits Nursing in various phases of life    
Nursing Care in Different Phases of Life I, 30 credits
Nursing Care in Different Phases of Life II, 22.5 credits
Palliative Nursing  Care, 7.5 credits
    
Year 3 - 60 credits Nursing in various contexts   
Nursing science - Research Methods and Theories Integrating with Practice, 22.5 credits
Nursing-Organization and Management part I, 7.5 credits
Nursing-Organisation and Management part II, 7.5 credits
The Nursing Profession - Practicum, 22.5 credits

Deferment of studies

Deferment of study entry may be granted if special circumstances exists. Application for deferment is to be submitted to the Student Services. A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

The rules for a leave from studies and non-completion are described in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Admission regulations at Umeå University and the Rules for study administration. An approved leave from studies means that the student upon returning after the leave is guaranteed a place (guaranteed admission) in the programme during a set period of time. Reasons to be guaranteed a place after a leave from studies can be social, medical or other special circumstances. More information on any programme-specific rules is provided by the responsible department.

The university's decision on a granted leave from studies shall relate to set period of time. If the current programme or course syllabus is assumed to have been changed at the time that the studies are to be resumed after a leave from studies, the student may be offered a place at a corresponding programme. This shall then be stated in the decision on a leave from studies. For students who pay tuition fees, have a residence permit for studies or have been granted scholarships, they may be affected by a leave from studies.

A student not granted a leave from studies according to the application has a right to appeal the decision to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Non-completion can be reported by the student or confirmed by the university. Non-completion means that the student is not guaranteed a place upon registration to resume studies. The non-completion may have been chosen by the student him or herself or caused by the student not achieving entry requirements for later courses.

Dissuasion

The course results shall continuously be used for study advising purposes in cooperation between students, teachers and study advisers. If there is doubt about a student's conditions for completing the programme begun, it should be examined in-depth if the student should be advised to discontinue the programme. This dissuasion should be done as soon as possible by teachers, study advisers in consultation with the student in question.

Other

Health and vaccination programmes
Students are offered vaccinations according to the medical faculty's health and vaccination programme. It is a requirement that students must have undergone a health and vaccination program prior to internship in health care, in order to counteract the spread of infection.

Matters of conscience
The programme may contain elements about abortion, foetal diagnosis/screening, blood transfusions, use of animal experiments and the like. Some students may feel apprehensions of conscience of an ethical or religious nature for such elements. Passing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing requires obtaining knowledge in such areas.

Plagiarism policy
Cheating is a rule breach that Umeå University sees as serious and which can lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Dispute Settlement Procedure.

Transitional regulations
This programme syllabus applies as of the autumn of 2019 for the students then admitted to the programme. The programme council decides on individual study plans and formats for examination for students who have been admitted and followed an earlier programme syllabus and after a leave from studies resumes the studies according to this programme syllabus.