Nursing
See study programmeThe objective of the nursing programme is to educate professionals who are qualified to perform nursing in all parts of the health service. Nursing education aims to educate independent, responsible and reflected nurses. Nurses who are educated at Nord University shall be characterized as clinically competent practitioners with strong professional nursing identities.
This implies that nurses
- meet professional, ethical and interpersonal challenges
- take responsibility for and contribute to human health and their own and others’ development
- practice nursing on the basis of knowledge and nursing’s set of values and skills.
The first academic year focuses on the common knowledge and set of values of health professionals, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, basic nursing, particular nursing needs among the elderly, selected diseases, social science courses and the management of the student’s own work.
During the second academic year, the student shall learn about nursing people with acute, chronic and critical illnesses, both somatic and psychological. At the end of the fourth semester, the focus will be on complex clinical pictures and complicated patient conditions. The third academic year of study involves complex and complicated patient conditions and clinical pictures, professional nursing management and interdisciplinary cooperation.
Nursing’s set of values. Nursing education is founded on a view of human life that is based on the premise that the individual is unique and intertwined with biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions, in which the whole is greater than the sum of the dimensions. Professional nursing bases this on respect for the lives of individual human beings and inherent dignity. Nursing is based on compassion, care and respect for human rights and nurses shall promote health, prevent illness, relieve suffering and ensure a dignified death. Nurses have a professional, ethical and personal responsibility for their own actions and assessments when practicing nursing, and are responsible for acquiring knowledge according to the legislation that regulates the service.
The programme of study consists of theoretical, dialogue-based and practical forms of work and teaching that support each other. The student must be able to communicate well in Norwegian, both verbally and in writing. By attending the facilitated learning situations, the student will develop academic and personal nursing skills. Therefore, the education requires active participation.
Expectations: - the student will put in work efforts that correspond to a full-time programme - the student will attend and actively participate in facilitated learning at the University
- the student’s actions will be in accordance with professional ethical guidelines for nurses - the student will be engaged, solution-oriented and collaborate with Nord University on the further development of the nursing programme through active use of the student democracy.
Expected skills upon completion: The sections referenced in the learning outcomes relate to the “Regulations relating to the national guidelines for nursing education”.
Knowledge:
Have broad knowledge of the basic needs of human beings, the anatomy and physiology of the human body and the most common diseases, symptoms, clinical pathways and treatments. (Section 4)
Have broad knowledge of the functional areas of nurses (health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, relief and palliative care). (Section 4)
Have knowledge of digital tools, E-learning programmes and available online learning materials. (Section 19)
Have knowledge of nursing science and other relevant health sciences, as well as the theoretical basis for how scientific work is developed within the field of study. (Section 10)
Can update their professional knowledge regarding both theoretical and practical issues. (Section 10) Have knowledge of tools and methods for service development and innovation. (Section 16)
Have broad knowledge of key values and concepts in nursing, the historical development of nursing and its importance to professional and service development. (Section 7)
Have knowledge of how the health services are managed and organised. (Section 13)
Skills:
Can apply academic knowledge and relevant results from research and development work to theoretical issues and make justified choices. (Section 11)
Can apply systematic observation, assess, decide, implement and document appropriate nursing activities in practice, as well as evaluate effect and adjust as needed. (Section 5)
Have the cultural skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing in a national and international context (Section 5) Can reflect on their own professional provision of nursing care to patients and relatives and adjust this under supervision. (Section 8)
Can identify and critically assess relevant information in academic and research literature to highlight nursing issues. (Section 11) Can manage mapping, assessment, documentation and communication tools when practising the nursing profession. (Section 14)
General competence:
Have insight into nursing’s work-related ethical guidelines and professional issues, and can manage various situations based on these. (Section 9)
Can plan and carry out work tasks and projects over periods of time, alone and in collaboration with patients, relatives, fellow students and others and in line with ethical requirements and guidelines. (Section 12)
Can convey key subject matter such as theories, issues and solutions both in writing and orally and by using technology and digital solutions. (Sections 12, 21)
Can plan and carry out communication and interaction processes with other professional groups and, through interdisciplinary cooperation, contribute to the development of good nursing practice. (Section 9, 12)
Have knowledge of challenges to quality that require innovation and can plan and carry out service development in collaboration with patients and relatives. (Section 18
Admission to the programme of study requires Higher Education Entrance Qualificationwith specific entrance requirements.
Applicants who do not have Higher Education Entrance Qualification and are 25 years of age or older may apply for admission on the basis of prior learning and work experience.
Special admission requirements:
You must have:
an average grade of 3 or higher in Norwegian (393 hours) and an average grade of 3 or higher in mathematics (common core subjects, 224 hours)
You meet the grade requirements in mathematics if you have passed one of the following common programme subjects: S1, S2, R1 or R2.
Free courses in mathematics:
Unable to meet the admission requirements for mathematics? Together with Nettskolen i Nordland, we offer a free mathematics course for those living in Nordland or Trøndelag who need to improve their grade. Read more about the course.
Prior Learning and Work Experience:
In addition to the general requirements regarding prior learning and work experience at Nord University, the following subject-specific requirement for admission based on prior learning and work experience applies A minimum of five relevant man-years of work experience.
Work within the health, social, care and teaching sectors or similar where the applicant has worked with patients, clients or pupils. Compulsory military service and care for one’s own children can be approved as up to one year of work experience.
The requirement regarding the subjects of Norwegian and mathematics cannot be assessed based on prior learning and work experience. You must have grades in these subjects
Other requirements:
For admission to supervised professional training, a certificate of good conduct will be required for municipal health and care services, as well as a completed form for tuberculosis and MRSA
A bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide you with many job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Some of the places you could work include: Hospitals
The Municipal Health Service - community nursing and nursing homes The Ambulance Service
Rehabilitation Offshore Armed Forces
Occupational Health Service Health Information International Aid
As a nursing student, you can take parts of your studies abroad. The experiences you gain from student exchanges will provide you with both knowledge and memories for life. You may participate in a student exchange during the fourth or fifth semester.
The nursing programme at Nord University collaborates with around 30 institutions in Asia, Europe and the USA.
In addition to semester fees and literature on the reading list, expenses must be expected regarding additional housing, travel expenses etc. in relation to supervised professional training, cf. Nord University’s guidelines.
It is assumed that students have their own laptop computers. Webcams and headphones are regarded as standard equipment in relation to digital communication during the programme of study. Students must cover these costs themselves.
Assessment and grading are based on the grades A to F, where A is the best and F is a fail. Work may also be assessed as pass/fail or approved/not approved.
The learning outcomes form the basis for assessing the student’s knowledge, skills and general skills.
The programme of study employs different assessment schemes which stimulate academic and personal growth and development.
Examination: A final exam is held for each course. Examinations are governed by regulations relating to studies and examinations at Nord University.
A regular and a new and/or re-scheduled examination is held in all theoretical courses each academic year of study. In the course Medication Dosage Calculation and Medication Management, two new/re-scheduled examinations are held during the same academic year of study.
Assessment of supervised professional training: Assessment of the education’s supervised professional training studies is encompassed by the regulations on studies and examinations at Nord University. The programme of study may be delayed if the student does not complete or fails the supervised professional training studies.
Compulsory requirements: See the regulations relating to studies and examinations at Nord University.
Student democracy at Nord University ensures active student participation through form lessons, reference groups, student representatives, the student union and student representation on relevant committees, among other things. Study programme evaluations are part of the work regarding educational quality and further development of the programme. Evaluation of the study takes place through individual evaluation and in reference groups, among other things. Students are expected to actively use student democracy and contribute to the further development of the nursing programme by participating in the evaluation of each course.
The programme description for nursing education at Nord University is compiled based on the regulations relating to the National Guidelines for Nursing Education, which came into force on 1 July 2019.
Nursing education is subject to the regulations relating to suitability assessments in higher education. Ongoing suitability assessments of all students must be conducted throughout the study and must be included in an overall assessment of the student’s academic and personal prerequisites to function as a healthcare or social service professional.
The bachelor’s degree in Nursing is awarded upon completion of the programme and provides the basis for applying for authorisation as a nurse, cf. The Health Personnel Act.
An approved extension to the certificate of good conduct is required by anyone starting the nursing programme, cf. regulations on admission to higher education, Chapter 6. Certificate of good conduct on admission to higher education. The certificate must be issued less than three months before being submitted to the university.
The education is encompassed by the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and regulations relating to studies and examinations at Nord University. Please see the applicable regulations and associated guidelines.
Supervised professional training constitutes 50% of the study programme (90 credits) and consist of skills training and simulation in the University’s skills departments, preparation and reflection on supervised professional training and supervised professional training in cooperation with patients and relatives:
In supervised professional training in direct cooperation with patients and relatives, the student works together with experienced nurses and others when meeting people in need of nursing care. Professional training studies are supervised. Nord University allocates training placements. Students are not permitted to find their own training placements. The supervised professional training studies take place primarily in the health services located in the northern part of Trøndelag and Nordland.
The nursing education also offers certain supervised professional training studies abroad. The organisation of and other provisions concerning the supervised professional training are described in a separate document.