Introduction

Nursing, both as a subject and profession, is concerned with individuals and groups in society who are in need of care, nursing or treatment relating to failing health or illness. Nursing involves health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation and end of life care.

The Bachelor’s degree programme is based on the national curriculum and regulations for nursing education approved by the Ministry of Education on January 25, 2008.

This curriculum applies to students enrolled on the Nursing study program at Telemark University College. The curriculum was approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Studies in February 2014.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The Bachelor’s degree programme is intended for persons who are interested in nursing as a discipline and profession.
Applicants should fulfil general admission requirements; however, applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who turn 25 during the year of enrolment may apply for admission based on prior experiential learning.
At the start of their studies, students must submit a certificate of good conduct relevant to the nursing profession issued by the police.

Aim of the Programme

The study programme is designed to train informed and reflective nurses who put people at the centre of what they do, and who are qualified to carry out nursing work in relation to all aspects of health care services both nationally and internationally.

Throughout the study programme, students will develop ethical awareness, theoretical and practical skills, responsibility and independence, and the ability to cooperate. Respect for individual human life and dignity is a fundamental value in nursing; other core values include caring for, and demonstrating solidarity with, the most vulnerable members of society.

Learning outcome

The national curriculum for nursing states that the Bachelor’s degree in nursing will lead to two different skill levels: action competence and planning ability. Action competence means that the study program will equip graduate nurses with sufficient qualifications to work as independent professionals; planning ability means that the study programme will provide graduate nurses with general planning skills which must be developed through experience and specialized knowledge in various practical fields.

The student will acquire skills in the following areas: health promotion and prevention, nursing and care, treatment, rehabilitation, instruction and counselling of patients and their families, professional ethical attitudes and practices, professional development, quality assurance, research, organization and management, and policies and legislation.

After successfully completing the study program, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate has knowledge of:

• Key themes and theories in nursing science, natural science and social science topics
• Research and development relevant to the nursing profession
• Nursing’s history, traditions, uniqueness, and importance to society.
  

Skills

The candidate can:

• Practice nursing on the basis of integrated knowledge, current research, experiential knowledge and professional judgment
• Attend to the patient’s basic needs by observing, assessing, planning and implementing nursing measures for individual patients and groups
• Identify risk factors due to individual and environmental factors, and plan and carry out health promotion and preventive measures based on these
• Inform, instruct and self-guide to promote learning processes that contribute to patient safety, quality and trust in the health services
• Master the relevant professional tools, techniques, procedures, and forms of expression

• Be an adaptable leader of their own profession and be able to communicate inter-professionally to create coordinated, comprehensive and integrated services that ensure good patient care.

General competence

The candidate can:

• Base professional practice on ethical awareness, ethical guidelines and critical reflection
• Meet patients and their families with sensitivity, empathy and moral accountability
• Contribute to creativity and innovation processes
• Demonstrate ability for, and commitment to, lifelong learning, work critically in an evidence-based manner, as well as help to develop quality in nursing and health services
• Exchange views and experiences with others, thereby contributing to the development of good practice.

Successful candidates will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing which will qualify them to apply for certification as a nurse. Successful candidates may also apply to enrol on specialization programmes and Master’s degree programmes.

Curriculum and structure

Clinical nursing courses in the second and third year of the study programme are carried out by a rotation of the students during the academic year.
The Bachelor’s degree programme is organized into 17 courses, divided into three academic years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. Each course is awarded credits; the number of credits for each course corresponds to the scope of the teaching and curriculum. The clinical studies are designed to integrate knowledge from all the curriculum’s major course units (Nursing’s Theoretical and Scientific Foundation, Nursing’s Professional Foundation, Medical and Natural Science courses, and Social Sciences courses).

An overview of the courses, target groups and nursing functions for each year of study is as follows:

All the functions of nursing are covered in the three years of study, but certain functions are emphasized more at certain times - these are marked with an *

Progression of studies
In order to sit the examinations in the second year of studies, students must receive passing marks in all their first year courses.
In order to sit the examinations in the third year of studies, students must receive passing marks in all their second year courses.
Students are permitted three attempts when taking examinations, tests, assessment assignments and skills tests during the course of the study programme.

Two sittings will be arranged during the academic year in each course.
The student is eligible for a third attempt when the next regular examination or test is held.
Detailed descriptions of the assessment procedures and criteria are part of the individual course descriptions; please also refer to Telemark University College Examination Regulations for further information.

Internationalization

Telemark University College participates in international cooperation for student and teacher exchanges, curriculum and course development, and research. Nursing is an international profession and discipline and the Department of Health Studies endeavours to develop professionally relevant and high quality learning venues abroad. The Department has established exchange agreements with specific networks in the Nordic Council of Ministers’ educational programme Nordplus, and also with the EU system’s educational programme. Furthermore, the Department has agreements of intention with nursing programmes in the US and Africa. Students who wish to complete parts of their studies abroad must demonstrate qualitatively good progression in their studies, as well as participate in obligatory courses in connection with cross-cultural nursing and cross-cultural communication. The Department also accepts students from other countries for part of their studies. More information is available on the college website.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The study programme focuses on creating a learning environment that develops students’ ability to reflect on and critically evaluate their own learning. Learning requires students’ active involvement, and students are to take responsibility for their own learning. Values such as openness, confidence, independence, respect and fellowship are emphasized.

In the resource lectures and classroom teaching, theoretical subject material will be presented and discussed, and subsequently examined, analysed and problematised in the light of related research and development work. Students will engage actively with the programme material through self-study and in learning groups, and via topical work, assignments and project work. Students participate in learning groups with appointed supervisors.

In the Clinical Skills Centre, students will develop clinical skills and train in simulated nursing situations that include the use of ICT-supported learning methods.

A significant part of the study programme takes place in the clinical field where students will further develop their knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes in real situations involving clinical supervisors, patients, relatives and partners. Teaching and learning methods include demonstrations, practical training, individual guidance and counselling in groups. The aim will be to reflect on, actively engage with, and analyze clinical experiences. Students will also learn to integrate their theoretical knowledge and further develop their own understanding and attitudes.

Through written work in theoretical and clinical studies, students will develop the ability to describe and justify their actions, which is vital for the development of professional competence in nursing.
The use of ICT is an important tool in the study programme. The web-based program Fronter is used as a learning platform and information channel, and also for the submission of examination answers and required coursework. Other online tools and digital learning methods are also used.
The learning environment is designed to enhance students’ learning processes and outcomes. The learning environment in theoretical parts of the programme is shaped via the regular teaching programme, access to academic supervision and personal guidance, the college’s user-supported IT systems, access to library and information services and opportunities for participation in democratic forums within the college.

The learning environment in the clinical parts of the study programme is shaped by the organization and structure of the practical training institutions, and is promoted by clear agreements between the college and the institutions. Students train within open and inclusive working environments, and are treated as individuals who are included in decision-making concerning teaching methods. Supervisors are committed to learning, and have the willingness and ability to implement individualized and planned learning activities.

Theory and Practical Training

The Preparatory Studies for Practical Training (KFS) course comprises 15 ECTS credits and the clinical studies section comprises 75 ECTS credits of the study programme’s 180 ECTS credits. The clinical studies are organized as follows:

The various periods during practical training include experience in preventive health care, prenatal care, maternity care, paediatric nursing, and nursing related to anesthesia, surgery and intensive care.

Assessment Methods

Various forms of assessment are used in the Bachelor’s degree programme, such as invigilated examinations, skills tests, practical training, take-home assignments and group assignments, etc.

Different types of coursework are also used, some of which must be submitted and approved before the student may sit the related exam and/or receive a grade. Parts of the study program are mandatory, including clinical studies, skills training, seminars and participation in various group work. This is further specified in the course descriptions.

Participation in the university college’s official bodies and committees, as well as local and national student organisations and relevant national conventions, will be considered authorized absence provided that relevant documentation is submitted.

The course descriptions provide detailed information on the assessment arrangements and criteria.

Assessment of clinical studies
Assessment is a continuous and obligatory part of clinical studies. The student is evaluated and assessed in relation to the course’s learning outcomes. Generally, evaluation dialogues are held between the student, their practical training supervisor and college instructor. The assessment criteria is pass/fail, and the university college is responsible for the allocation of the final grade. In clinical studies, students should complete an average of at least 30 hours of practical training per week.
If there is any doubt whether a student will receive a passing grade for clinical studies, the student will be notified in writing of this no later than three weeks before the completion of the period. This notification will specify what the student has not mastered, and what requirements must be met in order to pass the clinical studies section of the programme. If at the end of the period the student clearly demonstrates by their actions and behaviour that there are no grounds to award them a passing grade, and following appropriate prior notice (pursuant to §5 of the National Curriculum for Nursing, set January 25, 2008), the student may be given a failing grade.

Students are given a single opportunity to retake the clinical studies section of the programme. The decision to fail a student’s period of clinical studies cannot be challenged, unless a procedural error has occurred.

The course description provides a detailed account of the implementation, supervision, and assessment of the clinical studies section.

Suitability

Students are subject to the Suitability Assessment for Health and Social Studies, which came into force on June 1, 2006 (Ministry of Education). Students will receive ongoing assessment throughout the study programme with regard to their suitability; this is a comprehensive assessment that includes both professional and personal qualifications for working as a nurse.

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