Introduction

The curriculum for the study programme, Public Health Nurse, at Telemark University College aims at realising the national curriculum and regulations of Public Health Nurse, set by the Ministry of Education and Research 1st December 2005.

The Public Health Nurse study programme is an advanced course of studies for nurses. It is a part-time course of studies taught over two years and comprises 60 ECTS credits. The study programme is based on nursing’s core values, providing specialisation for nurses in health promotion and preventive care. Upon completion of the study programme, the candidate will be qualified to provide individual and population-focused public health nursing services in health clinics, school health services and health services for young people, as well as in environmentally focused healthcare/communicable diseases prevention and health services for refugees. Public nursing activities require multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation on individual, group and societal levels.

The study programme emphasizes resource-orientation, finding solutions and client empowerment in relation to users in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, it focuses on assessing children and young people’s physical and psychosocial health in an ecological and cultural perspective. In this advanced study programme, students will develop an integrated professional competence that involves planning, implementing, executing and evaluating health promotion and prevention related to the public health nurse’s areas of work and responsibility.

Scientific and theoretical knowledge, personal skills and specific professional skills will enable students to work analytically and reflectively to develop and assure the quality of public health nursing services.

The curriculum for the study programme has been approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Work Studies, December 2014.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the public health nurse study programme include qualification as a certified nurse and a minimum of one year’s full-time nursing experience.

Aim of the Programme

The aim of the study programme is to provide nurses with advanced knowledge within the field of health promotion and preventive care aimed at children, adolescents and their families. Upon completion of the study programme, students will be able to use their acquired knowledge in planning, implementing, executing and evaluating health promotion and preventive initiatives related to the work and responsibilities of a public nurse.

Upon completion of the study programme, candidates will be certified in contraceptive management according to applicable laws and guidelines.

The Public Health Nurse study programme is governed by the national curriculum, and may, on application, be integrated into various Master’s degree programmes. This may result in a reduced period of study depending on the type of Master’s degree programme chosen.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The candidate has:

• Advanced knowledge in public health, preventive measures and health promotion at individual, group and societal levels
• Advanced knowledge of the public health nurse’s various communicative and working methods
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation
• Thorough knowledge of the subject area’s scientific theories and methods to develop and assure the quality of public health nursing services.

Skills

The candidate can:

• Execute public nursing services by identifying the population’s needs and ongoing developments in society
• Carry out advanced assessments and influence various factors that affect the population’s health and initiate measures at individual and group levels
• Plan, manage and develop public health nursing services in accordance with laws, regulations, framework and local conditions in cooperation with the decision-making authority
• Communicate and apply various methods of health education and guidance for individuals, groups and communities
• Initiate and participate in committed multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation
• Relate critically and analytically to the field of knowledge, and help to develop and assure the quality of public health nursing services.

General competence

The candidate can/has:

• Plan, implement, execute and evaluate health initiatives and preventive efforts at individual, group and societal levels that ensure professional public nursing services
• Set the agenda for health initiatives and preventive health services for children, adolescents and their families
• Apply research-based knowledge, analyse and relate critically to appropriate sources of information and be able to discuss professionally and ethically
• High ethical standards and is able to assess ethical issues ensuring ethically and professionally sound work.

Curriculum and structure

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 986-E1 The Individual, Society and Health 15.00 O 15           986-E2 The Health of Children and Adolescents 15.00 O   15         986-E3 The Public Health Nursing Service and Professional Practices 15.00 O     15       Total: 15 15 15 15 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The study programme is a part-time course of two years’ duration, organized into one-week workshops with four to five meetings per semester. In addition, students are responsible for organizing their own studies; in total, the part-time study programme comprises 20 hours of study per week.

The study programme is organized into four courses, comprising 15 ECTS credits each.

Some topics in the various courses require compulsory attendance; information specifying compulsory attendance is given in the study plan and timetable.

Internationalization

The Department of Health Studies has a comprehensive programme for international activities, especially with regard to exchange agreements for students who wish to take part of their studies abroad. Exchange studies abroad may be carried out as part of the student’s practical training studies in course 3. Student exchange is only possible with universities and colleges that Telemark University College (TUC) has an exchange agreement with. The exchange programme must have a focus on public health in relation to health initiatives and preventive care. Students who wish to complete part of their studies abroad must exhibit qualitatively good progression in their studies. In addition, they must have completed six full weeks of practical training studies in Norway, and participated in compulsory preparatory courses in connection with internationalisation. The students who wish to undertake part of their studies abroad should contact the course coordinator / academic coordinator of the study programme who, in cooperation with the Department’s international coordinator, will clarify the necessary formalities.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The study programme’s knowledge foundation is based on science and research, the students’ nursing experience and their contact with patients and relatives (evidence-based practice). The study programme emphasises the fact that knowledge acquisition and development and personal development require different teaching and learning methods. Emphasis is placed on creating a learning environment that develops students’ ability to reflect on and critically evaluate their own learning. Learning requires the active involvement of students and teachers, and the student taking responsibility for their own learning.

In the student’s practical training in the municipal health services or the public nursing health services, the development of students’ practical skills will be emphasised, as well as their ability to observe and communicate measures based on theoretical knowledge, ethical understanding and user-interaction. Practical skills will be honed through role-playing, guidance and practical exercises in the field of practical training / simulation centre.

All the instruction and organized supervision is necessary to achieve the learning outcomes of the courses. Organized learning activities will complement the syllabus literature and illuminate other perspectives, relevant topics and methods. Both scientific understanding and evidence-based knowledge is central to the learning activities and outcomes. It is expected that the students will primarily acquire factual knowledge independently, and thus be prepared for reflection and joint discussions.

Varied teaching and learning methods will be used throughout the study programme. Considerable emphasis is given to self-study. The study programme also includes teaching, oral and written group projects, study notes, video tutorial project, reflection groups and practical training in the field of public health nursing.

The study programme uses ICT as a tool in connection with teaching, supervision, information provision, student collaboration and submission of student work. The students must have access to computers and the Internet.

Theory and Practical Training

The practical training studies are placed in courses 1 and 3 and comprise 10 weeks of work experience. This is organized with one week in course 1, as observation practice; in course 3, the practical training comprises a continuous 9-week work experience placement. In particular, the students will have the opportunity to develop their relational and clinical expertise during their practical training.

Telemark University College has agreements with various municipalities that offer internships. The practical training builds on the knowledge and skills acquired by the students through their nursing certification. The public nursing students conduct independent professional nursing duties during their internships. The students will be given guidance by an internship supervisor on the duties of a public health nurse. Telemark University College will allocate the internships according to given guidelines. In special cases and upon application, the student can apply for internship in another appropriate municipality. The internship and supervisor must be approved by the course coordinator according to the specific criteria for internship placement.

Assessment Methods

The different types of assignments (both individual and group-based) and practical training aim to ensure coherence between learning outcomes and teaching and learning methods. The study programme also includes various coursework requirements. The study programme and coursework requirements will contribute to professional specialisation and coherence between the various subjects.

All coursework requirements must be completed and approved before the student can take the exam for a course and be awarded a course grade. Students must pass the relevant course exams before they can begin their practical training or take the exam in the following course.

Assessment of practical training studies

Assessment is a continuous and compulsory part of the practical training studies. The student will be evaluated and assessed in relation to the course’s learning outcomes and their own goals. The practical training studies is assessed on a pass / fail basis, and the student is allowed two attempts. The college is responsible for the final assessment. The attendance requirement is 90% regardless of the reasons for absence, which corresponds to 30 hours a week (four or five days per week). If there is doubt concerning whether the student will pass the practical training, he/she will receive written notice halfway through training or three weeks before completing training. If the student at the end of the period is in violation of the Act relating to Health Personnel or the regulations of the practical training institution, the student can receive a fail grade without notice being given.

The student and the practical training supervisor are responsible for recording student attendance and absenteeism.

Special regulations regarding attendance and the consequences of absenteeism

The study programme requires 75% attendance for the following activities: study and supervision groups, the presentation of programme requirements and instruction in relation to these, and the execution of group study and coursework requirements. The student, study/supervision group and the course teacher are responsible for registering the student’s attendance and absence. The group work that is indicated on the timetable requires mandatory attendance. If a student does not fulfil the attendance requirements, he/she must submit a written assignment related to the topic that has been discussed. The course teacher is responsible for giving the assignment and approving the submission.

If a student has less than 75% attendance in practical training, he/she must re-do the practical training. If attendance is less than 90% but more than 75%, the student must compensate the number of days short as agreed with the course coordinator/lecturer and practical training institution.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean