Overview

The BSc Nursing degree program is a four-year fulltime program comprising eight semesters, which prepares BSc nursing graduates qualified to practice nursing and midwifery in a variety of settings in either public / government or private healthcare settings. It adopts credit system and semester system as per the Authority guidelines with minor modifications suitable to professional education in a hybrid form. The program encompasses foundational, core and elective courses. The choice-based system is applicable to electives only and is offered in the form of modules. Modular learning is also integrated in the foundational as well as core courses that are mandatory.

The program prepares nurses and midwives for generalist nursing including midwifery practice. Knowledge acquisition related to wellness, health promotion, illness, disease management and care of the dying is core to nursing practice. Mastery of competencies is the main focus. Students are provided with opportunities to learn a whole range of skills in addition to acquiring knowledge related to nursing practice (nursing and midwifery). This is achieved through learning in a skill lab/simulated lab and clinical environment. Simulation will be integrated throughout the curriculum wherever feasible to enable them to develop competencies before entry into the real field of practice.

The revised curriculum embraces competency-based and outcome-based approach throughout the program integrating mastery learning and self-directed learning. Transformational and relationship based educational approaches are emphasized. Through the educational process the students assimilate and synthesize knowledge, cultivate critical thinking skills and develop care strategies. Competencies that reflect practice standards of the Council address the areas of cultural diversity, communication technology, teamwork and collaboration, safety, quality, therapeutic interventions and evidence- based practice. They are prepared to provide safe and competent care to patients across life span and influence patient outcomes.

AIMS

The aims of the undergraduate BSc. Nursing program are to:

1. Produce knowledgeable competent nurses and midwives with clear critical thinking skills who are caring, motivated, assertive and well-disciplined responding to the changing needs of profession, healthcare delivery system and society.
2. Prepare them to assume responsibilities as professional, competent nurses and midwives in providing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare services in any healthcare setting.
3. Prepare nurses and midwives who can make independent decisions in nursing situations within the scope of practice, protect the rights of individuals and groups and conduct research in the areas of nursing practice and apply evidence- based practice.
4. Prepare them to assume the role of practitioner, teacher, supervisor and manager in all healthcare settings.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of the BSc Nursing program, the Nursing graduates will be able to:

1. Utilize critical thinking to synthesize knowledge derived from physical, biological, behavioral sciences, and humanities, in the practice of professional nursing and midwifery.
2. Practice professional nursing and midwifery competently and safely in diverse settings, utilizing caring, critical thinking and therapeutic nursing interventions with individuals, families, populations and communities at any developmental stage and with varied lived health experiences.
3. Provide promotive, preventive and restorative health services in line with national health policies and programs.
4. Integrate professional caring into practice decisions that encompass values, ethical, and moral and legal aspects of nursing.
5. Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of self and others.
6. Apply concepts of leadership, autonomy and management to the practice of nursing and midwifery to enhance quality and safety in health care.
7. Utilize the latest knowledge and skills related to information and technology to enhance patient outcomes.
8. Utilize the requisite knowledge, skills and technologies to practice independently and collaboratively with all health professionals applying the principles of safety and quality improvement.
9. Integrate research findings and nursing theory in decision making in evidence-based practice.
10. Accept responsibility and accountability for the effectiveness of one‘s own nursing and midwifery practice and professional growth as a learner, clinician and leader.
11. Participate in the advancement of the profession to improve health care for the betterment of the global society.

Core Competencies Required for Nursing and Midwifery Practice by BSc Nursing Graduate

The BSc Graduate Nurse will be able to:

1. Patient centered care: Provide holistic care recognizing individual patient‘s preferences, values and needs, that is compassionate, coordinated, age and culturally appropriate safe and effective care.
2. Professionalism: Demonstrate accountability for the delivery of standard-based nursing care as per the Council standards that is consistent with moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory and humanistic principles.
3. Teaching & Leadership: Influence the behavior of individuals and groups within their environment and facilitate establishment of shared goals through teaching and leadership.
4. System-based practice: Demonstrate awareness and responsiveness to the context of the healthcare system and ability to manage resources essential to provide optimal quality of care.
5. Health informatics and Technology: Use technology and synthesize information and collaborate to make critical decisions that optimize patient outcomes.
6. Communication: Interact effectively with patients, families and colleagues fostering mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
7. Teamwork and Collaboration: Function effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, shared decision making, team learning and development.
8. Safety: Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
9. Quality improvement: Use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and 6 utilize improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare system.
10. Evidence based practice: Identify, evaluate and use the best current evidence coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of patient‘s preferences, experience and values to make practical decisions.